It didn’t take long for rookie MP, and former car dealer John Carmichael to make some noise in Ottawa.
Last week, Carmichael, the Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, introduced a private members bill aimed at helping protect the rights of Canadians to proudly fly the Canadian flag.
Carmichael tabled Bill C-288, An Act Respecting the National Flag of Canada in the House of Commons.
“Canadians love and cherish their flag. The sea of red and white maple leaf flags we see every Canada Day is testimony to the patriotism and respect Canadians have for this important national symbol,” said Carmichael. “This proposed law seeks to protect the rights of Canadians to fly their national flag where they live and encourage Canadians across the country to display the national flag not just on Canada Day or Flag Day, but every day of the year.”
“Canadians have always assumed this right, but we believe it is important to protect the rights of citizens in a more formal way,” added Carmichael. “No Canadian should be prevented from flying the flag, which has been a symbol of our country’s unity since its adoption 46 years ago.”
The National Flag of Canada was established in 1965. The government of the day wished to adopt a distinctive national flag; prior to this date, a number of different flags, ranging from French military flags to various versions of the British-based Red Ensign, were used to represent Canada.
For information about the history of the National Flag of Canada and the protocol around how to display and fly it, visit www.pch.gc.ca
To keep tabs on Carmichael’s activities in Ottawa, visit his website at: http://www.johncarmichael.ca/
