Dear Mr. Politician,

   This is not “your” flag. This is our flag: it belongs to all Canadians.

   It is not your brand, but our identity: a definition of who we are determined by where we live. Citizenship has its benefits, as well as concerns.

   This past Monday, as Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast celebrated Canada Day, I was offended by the paper, hand-held flags freely distributed amongst the crowd at a local celebration. It is a simple flag: a brilliant red maple leaf with a bold red strip to each side, miniature, but still effective; a flag designed to be waved with pride. Nowhere was this more obvious than Monday’s event; and there were many such gatherings throughout both this city and wonderful country.

   It was, at first, a rather joyful sight to see people walking about the park with these bright symbols of our country. Then, upon closer inspection of one of the flag’s two sides, was the name of a politician, his position and website address.

   I was shocked. 

   As a proud flag-waving Canadian, I have never been more offended (even disgusted) by the use of our national symbol. For as long as I have known — as first instructed by my mother, then primary school teachers, and later by a few wise old veterans — you do not write on a flag. Anywhere.

   You sir, and I’m not naming names because the obvious speaks for itself, have defaced an emblem I have grown up learning to respect.

   Now I’m sure you are not the only politician to consider yourself important enough to include your name on our flag (there are so few politicians you can accuse of original thought) but as an elected representative, you are here to set an example. You should know the rules. If unfamiliar, please check out the government website  www.canada.ca where you will find the section ‘Do’s and don’ts when displaying the flag’:

“The National Flag of Canada should not be written on or marked in any way…”

   You sir have made a mark on our collective dignity. You are not the only one.

   Later in the day, I came across a lawn sign, the size of which is displayed at election time by any brand of politico wishing to represent this country. Again, the brilliant and highly identifiable Maple Leaf emblem could be seen blocks away. As I walked closer, I saw that included along the bottom of the placard was the name of another politician, like he was important enough to be publicly viewed as a footnote on our flag.

   Again, I was offended. 

   Now, given its firm base of corrugated plastic material with metal spikes driven into the grass, it is not a flag per se: but simply a sign, not designed to be waved or held high. Nonetheless, its dimensions and exacting proportions prove the sign to be a flag in another form.

   The Canadian flag is a brand; respected world-wide (as are its citizens) as being fair, just, friendly (polite) and accepting. By slapping your name along the bottom of the sign, you are unjustly attempting to make it “your” brand. 

   You are using this symbol of freedom and equality as marketing material. By doing so, you have elected to use this as your logo, and in doing so have removed the flag’s dignity and integrity.

   The Canadian flag is much more than a common logo. 

   Please Mr. Politician, show us a little more pride and a little less self-importance.

© 2024 j.g. lewis