the day we fly our Maple leaf red and white Flag.
"The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion."
Here are ten questions/answers you may have asked on handling our Canadian flag.
1. Is it correct to leave the Canadian Flag flying at night?
Answer: Yes, but it is preferred that it be illuminated.
2. Is it correct to let our national flag touch the ground, or floor, or use it as a table drape or cover?
Answer: Never.
3. Is it correct to use our flag to unveil a picture, plaque, monument, statue, and the like?
Answer: Yes, but the flag must not touch the ground or floor.
4. Is it correct to display or fly another flag, banner, or pennant above our Canadian flag?
Answer: No.
5. When our Canadian flag is not flown on a staff or flagpole, how should it be displayed?
Answer: Our flag may be hung horizontally or vertically. If hung horizontally on the wall at the rear of a platform, the flag should be behind and above any person or persons who is/are speaking from that platform. If the flag is 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 members of the audience.
6. Where is the flag hung in relation to a speaker when a platform is being used?
Answer: The Canadian flag should be hung directly above and behind the speaker if against the wall, but if on a staff or flagpole on the platform, it should stand to the left of the speaker. If the staff or flagpole is on the floor in front of the platform, the flag should be on the right of the audience, left of the speaker.
7. If our flag is used in a parade, procession, or mounted ride, where should our national flag be displayed?
Answer: In the “position of honour” at the marching right or front and center.
8. Are there any other rules that concern the “position of honour”?
Answer: Yes.
a). When two or more flags are flown together, the Canadian flag should be on the left as seen by the spectators located in the front of the flags. When a number of flags representing other countries are being flown, the Canadian flag may be flown at each end of the line of flags.
b). When three flags are flown side by side, the Canadian flag should be flown in the center position, with the other two flags flown in alphabetical order, as viewed by the spectators in front of the flags.
c). When more than one flag is flown, and it is impossible to raise or lower all the flags at the same time, the Canadian flag shall be raised first and lowered last.
d). Flags flown together should be the same size, and flown from separate staffs or flagpoles at the same height.
9. How should you fold a Canadian flag?
Answer: First fold the flag in half-length wise, then in half again. Fold 1/3rd of the narrow strip you’ve created towards the hoist end. Roll from the fold to the hoist. The flag can then be tied with a loose halyard, (lightweight rope). Wrap it around the flag one complete turn and halfway again, then slip a loop through the previous rope turn. The flag can now be stored, and is ready for use.
10. What is the correct way to dispose of a worn, faded, or frayed flag?
Answer: Disposal of damaged flags should be only done by burning, and carried out quietly, without ceremony. It is not considered an act of disrespect to burn an unserviceable flag.
How to fold a Canadian Flag diagram:
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/etiquette/images/fig24.gif
All about handling the Canadian flag:
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/etiquette/2_e.cfm
Conclusion: By following these simple practices, you can help insure that the Canadian flag is treated with respect, and flown, or displayed in a proper manner. Common sense should show us that the same rules should apply to provincial and all other flags.