Canada

The first flag known to have flown in Canada

was the St George's Cross carried by John Cabot when he reached Newfoundland in 1497. In 1534, Jacques Cartier planted a cross in Gaspé bearing the French royal coat of arms with the fleurs-de-lis. His ship flew a red flag with a white cross, the French naval flag at the time. New France continued to fly the evolving French military flags of that period

For nearly a century Canada had no distinctive national flag.

Each time Canadians suggested a new symbol to replace the Canadian Red Ensign, modeled after a British naval flag, there was controversy. Maple leaves, beavers, crosses, crowns — propositions that went nowhere. In 1964 Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson said he'd introduce a new national flag. But Opposition leader John Diefenbaker and the Royal Canadian Legion wanted to stick with the Red Ensign. Everyone had an opinion before Canada finally chose the red and white flag with the maple leaf.

1921 by proclamation of King George V. In 1994, the arms

were augmented with a ribbon displaying the motto of the Order of Canada, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country)
The design of the arms of Canada reflects the royal symbols of the United Kingdom and France (the three lions of England, the lion of Scotland, thefleurs-de-lis of France and the rIish harp of Tara).

is a sprig of three Canadian maple leaves representative of

Canadians of all origins. The coat of arms is supported by the lion of England holding the Royal Union Flag and the unicorn of Scotland carrying the flag of Royal France. The crest above the shield features a crowned lion holding a red maple leaf. At the base of the arms are the floral emblems associated with the Canadian Monarchy: the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the French lily and the Irish shamrock.

that these are the Arms of the Sovereign in right

of Canada, commonly called "the Royal Arms of Canada" or "the Arms of Canada".

official colours of Canada. They were designated Canada's official colours

by King George V on 21 November, 1921, in the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada.
The Great Seal of Canada: The Great Seal of Canada is used on all state documents such as proclamations and commissions of cabinet ministers, senators, judges and senior government officials.

is Canada's most prominent symbol, recognized as Canadian all around

the world. According to many historians, the maple leaf began to serve as a Canadian symbol as early as 1700. The maple tree was officially proclaimed the national arboreal emblem of Canada on 25 April, 1996.
The Beaver

Edward Island
Nova Scotia
Quebec

image is Jacques Cartier .
The Huron-Iroquois word for «village»

or «settlement» was kanata.
The first use of "Canada" as an official name came in 1791 when the Province of Quebec was divided into the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada.

Library of Parliament