[JD Baillie]

Jon,

The Maple Leaf was needed and was wanted by many Canadians who thought it was more than time to be seen as no longer part of the British Empire. Whether or not the bars should
be blue or red is no longer an issue after 30 years. That it is ours NOW, is.

In 2004 why would we not want to be distinctive and uniquely Canadian. Our Maple Leaf is not a sop to multi-cult. It is a statement of coast to coast union, a flag that doesn't raise colonial emotions in Quebec (why is the 22e a numbered regiment and not a named one?).

The Canadian Parlimentary system has not evolved since confederation to reflect the needs and changing times of Canada. A majority government will always push things through Parliment. And if the Upper House doesn't like it then the majority government of the day will stack the Upper House with more appointments so the bill will pass on 2nd reading or resubmission. So of course having a new flag pushed at us was the way it would go. In 1925 a parlimentary committee convened for 10 years to come up with an idea for a distinctively Canadian Flag and didn't. All this could have been avoided.

In 1965 it was more than enough time to get on with it.

HOORAY THE MAPLE LEAF!!!!!

K

JD