Canadians have sometimes been accused of being less of a flag-waving population than their American neighbours, but there's no doubt Canada's flag is one of the most distinguishable icons in the world. Here's a few flag facts, flaps and history that is part of the red-and-white and when you're through.

DESCRIPTION: The flag is red and white, the official colours of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921, with a stylized 11-point red leaf in its centre.

St. George's Cross

PROPORTIONS: Two by length and one by width

HISTORY: The first "Canadian Flag" may have been the St. George's Cross, an English flag of the 15th century, carried by John Cabot and flown over Canada when he reached the east coast in 1497.

Fleur-de-lis

Thirty-seven years later, Jacques Cartier planted the fleur-de-lis on Canadian soil when he landed here and claimed the land for the King of France. The fleur-de-lis was flown until the early 1760s, when Canada was ceded to the United Kingdom.

Royal Union Flag

Although first flown over Canada in 1621, the Royal Union Flag (with the Crosses of St. George and St. Andrew) replaced the fleur-de-lis after 1759. Following the Act of Union (1801), the Cross of St. Patrick was added to the flag that we now know more commonly as the Union Jack.

The Red Ensign

The Red Ensign was created in 1707 as the flag of the British Merchant Marine. A form of the Red Ensign, with quartered arms of Canadian provinces (later the shield of the Arms of Canada), gave rise to the Canadian Red Ensign , various forms of which were flown for approximately 1870 to 1965, as well as the Union Jack.

THE FLAG DEBATE: The debate over the proposed new Canadian flag opened in the House of Commons June 15, 1964 and ended by closure Dec. 15, 1964. Canada's official flag from 1867 had been Britain's Union Flag, although the Red Ensign with the Canadian badge was regularly flown for qualified purposes.

In 1925 Prime Minister Mackenzie King appointed an armed services committee to investigate possible designs, but it did not report. In 1946 a committee of both Senate and Commons presented a design with the Red Ensign charged with a golden maple leaf but it was not adopted. The issue was raised again by Lester Pearson, as leader of the Opposition in 1960 and as prime minister in 1963.

The "Pearson Pennant"

John Matheson MP sought strict adherence to the colours, red and white, and the maple leaf emblem authorized by George V on 21 November 1921 as advocated by A. Fortescue Duguid. Alan B. Beddoe added two blue bars to what became known as the "Pearson pennant. " This proposal for design, three maple leaves on a white centre square with blue bars on each side, was introduced to Parliament in June 1964. The ensuing controversy raged not over whether there should be a new flag, but on its design. The French Canadian members followed with keen interest a debate wherein feelings ran high among many English-speaking Canadians. John Diefenbaker demanded that the flag honour the "founding races," with the Union Jack in the canton of honour. Pearson insisted on a design denoting allegiance to Canada devoid of colonial association.

After prolonged, rancorous debate the issue was referred to a 15-member all-party committee which recommended a design inspired by the Royal Military College flag theme, red-white-red, but with one red maple leaf in a white squared centre.

Debate in the House continued until Léon Balcer, a prominent Conservative MP from Québec, invited the Liberals to invoke closure, which would limit speeches to 20 minutes and force a vote. After some 250 speeches, a vote was taken Dec. 15, 1964 at 2 a.m. and the committee's recommendation was accepted 163 to 78. Senate approval followed on Dec. 17. The royal proclamation was signed by Her Majesty 28 January 1965 and the national flag was officially unfurled Feb. 15 1965.

FLAG ETIQUETTE: There are certain rules on how some flags are used. The following are a few of the most common questions about the use of our national flag:

Is it okay to leave the Canadian flag flying at night?

Answer: Yes

Is it okay to let the Canadian flag touch the floor or ground, or use it as a table drape or cover?

Answer: No

May it be used to unveil a picture, plaque, monument, and so on?

Answer: Yes, but remember, the flag must not touch the floor.

It is it okay to display or fly another flag, banner or pennant above the Canadian flag?

Answer: No. Also, flags flown together should be of about the same size and flown from separate staffs at the same height.

When the Canadian flag is not flown on a staff or flag pole, how should it be displayed?

Answer: It may be hung horizontally or vertically. If hung horizontally on the wall at the back of a platform, the flag should be behind and above any person who is speaking from the platform. If hung vertically against a wall, the top of the maple leaf should be on the left and the stem to the right as seen by the spectators.

In a parade, procession or mounted ride, where should the Canadian flag be displayed?

Answer: In the position of honour at the marching right or centre front.

What are some other rules that apply to "the position of honour"?

1. When two or more than three flags are flown together, the Canadian flag should be on the left as seen by the spectators located in front of the flags; when a number of countries are represented, the Canadian flag may be flown at each end of the line of flags.

2. When three flags are flown together, the Canadian flag should be in the centre position, with the other flags in alphabetical order, as seen by the spectators viewing the flags.

3. When more than one flag is flown, and it is impossible to raise or lower the flags at the same time, the Canadian flag should be raised first and lowered last.

Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia Plus and the federal Department of Canadian Heritage