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The Red Ensign Flag of Canada. Before 1957 the Maple leafs were green

A Red Ensign Flag of Canada.In 1921 Canada got a new coat of arms from the College of Arms in London.

A Red Ensign Flag of Canada. Before 1921 Canada's coat of arms was a collection of the provincial coats of arms.

The Maple Leaf flag became Canada's flag on 15 February 1965.

Before this, Canada used the British Red Ensign with Canada's coat of arms on it. Flag experts say that the Red Ensign was defaced by the coat of arms.

Flag and heraldry experts also call the design of the flag a Canadian Pale. This is because the white stripe in the middle (called a pale in heraldry) was not the usual narrow stripe but was half the width of the flag. This was the first time a design like this was used.