2006 Controversy over military deaths

A controversy surfaced in April 2006 when the newly-elected Conservativegovernment discontinued the practice, initiated by the previousLiberalgovernment, of flying the flag at half-mast on all government buildings whenever a Canadian soldier was killed in action inAfghanistan. The policy of half-masting upon every death had been initiated after theAfghanistan friendly fire incident.

The issue divided veterans' groups and military families, some of whom supported the return to the original tradition of using Remembrance Day to honour all soldiers killed in action, while others who felt that it was an appropriate way to honour the fallen and to remind the population of the costs of war.

In spite of the federal government's policy, local authorities have often decided to half-mast the national flag since then to honour fallen soldiers who were from their jurisdiction. Examples include TorontoandSaskatchewan.

Government promotion

Ever since the adoption of the Canadian flag in 1965, there have been programs sponsored by the Canadian government to promote the flag to their citizens and to the world at large. Two of the most famous examples is the Heritage Department's Parliamentary Flag Program and the flag program run by the Department of Public Works. The flag has also been featured on severaldefinitive stampseries issued byCanada Postsince 1989. This increased exposure of the Canadian flag and the flag as part of the Canadian identity at home and abroad through the circulation of postage stamps.

To increase awareness of the new flag, the Parliamentary Flag Program was set up in December 1972 by the Cabinet. The purpose of this program was to allow members of the Canadian House of Commonsto distribute flags and lapel pins in the shape of the Canadian flag to their constituents. The program has been in operation since 1973.

Flags that are flown from the Peace Tower, the East and West blocks ofParliament Hillare packaged by the Department of Public Works and can be obtained free of charged from their offices. However, the program has a waiting list that lasts about 10 years and is available to Canadians only.

"One in a Million National Flag" Challenge

In 1996, Sheila Copps, as the Minister of Canadian Heritage instituted the "One in a Million National Flag" Challenge. This program was intended to provide Canadians with one million new Maple Leaf flags in time for Flag Day, 1997. The program was controversial in that the program cost approximately CDN$45 million and the flags had no means to be hoisted or flown. The official numbers from Canadian Heritage put the expenses around $15.5 million, with approximately 1/7th of the cost being off-set by donations.

National symbols of Canada

The maple leaf is the characteristic leaf of the maple tree, and is an important national symbol of Canada.

National symbols of Canada are the symbols that are used in Canada and abroad to represent the country and its people. Prominently, the use of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol dates back to the early 18th century, and is depicted on its current and previous flags, the penny, and on the coat of arms (or royal arms).

The Crown symbolizes the Canadian monarchy, and appears on the coat of arms (used by parliamentarians and government ministries), the flag of the Governor General, the coats of arms of many provinces and territories; the badges of the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), many regiments, and other police forces; on buildings, as well as some highway signs and licence plates. Also, the Queen's image appears in Canadian government buildings, military installations and schools; and on Canadian stamps, $20 bank notes, and all coins.

Canada is known for its vast forests and mountain ranges and the animals that reside within them, such as moose, beaver, caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, Canada goose, and the common loon. The beaver's emblematic status originated from the fact much of Canada's early economic history was tied to the fur trade in beaver fur, used to make hats fashionable in Europe. Other products made from the country's natural resources, such as maple syrup, are also associated with Canadian identity.

Additional national symbols include the RCMP and anything pertaining to ice hockey, Canada's official winter sport, which is often used as a national symbol of unity and pride.

In recent years, other symbols have become a source of pride: notably, the I am Canadian campaign by Molson beer, most notably the commercial featuring Joe Canada, infused home-grown beer with nationalism. (Molson later merged with an American beer company, Coors.) The Canadian fashion retailer Roots sells a variety of merchandise designed to evoke nationalistic sentiment.

ANNOTATIONS

beaver - бобер, loon – гагара, to be featured in – принимать участие в, foliage - листва

Comprehension Check Exercises

I. Fill in the blank with the correct word:

1. Official symbols of Canada include the maple leaf, … .

2. There were, and are, many distinct Aboriginal peoples across Canada, each with its own … .

3. The Royal Union Flag, called … .

4. There are certain days every year that will call for the national flag to be flown at half-mast: … .

5. Ever since the adoption of the Canadian flag in 1965, there have been programs sponsored by the Canadian government to promote … .

6. The Crown symbolizes the Canadian monarchy, and appears on … .

II. Find out whether the statement is true or false according to the information in the text:

1. Many official symbols of the country such as the Flag of Canada have been changed or modified over the past few decades in order to 'Canadianize' them and de-emphasise or remove references to the United Kingdom.

2. The flag has also been featured on several definitive stampseries issued byCanada Postsince 1969.

3. National symbols of Canada are the symbols that are used in Canada and abroad to represent the country and its people.

4. In recent years, other symbols have become a source of pride: … .

III. Questions:

1. What official symbols of the country do you know?

2. Where are symbols of the monarchy in Canada continue to be featured in?

3. Describe the National Flag of Canada.

4. What animals reside in Canada?

5. What is Canada's official winter sport?

IV. Do you remember?

What is the "One in a Million National Flag" Challenge?

National War Memorial (Canada)

National War Memorial
Canada
For Canadian dead of all wars
Unveiled	21 May 1939
Location	45°25′26.53″N, 75°41′43.79″W near Ottawa, Canada
Designer	Vernon March

A close-up view of the figures

The National War Memorial, also known as The Response, is a tall granite arch with bronze sculptures in Confederation Square, Ottawa that serves as the federal war memorial for Canada.

Built to commemorate World War I, in 1982 the memorial was also enscribed with the dates 1939-1945, for World War II, and 1950-1953, for the Korean War. It also symbolises those Canadians who have died in other wars and on peacekeeping duties. In 2000, the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added to the memorial site.