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Ottawa

Flag Day celebrations kick off with giant flag on Rideau Canal Skateway

By Kimberley Johnson

Published: 

There has been a swell of Canadian pride recently, in the wake of tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, and his repeated comments about Canada becoming the 51st state.

Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag, and the iconic red and white was proudly on display on one of Ottawa’s most iconic landmarks: the Rideau Canal Skateway.

As part of an event to mark the anniversary, Canadian Heritage flew the national flag on Friday, which was carried by young athletes, along the World Heritage Site, and under the Laurier bridge.

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National Flag of Canada Day in Ottawa Local youth skate with a large Canadian flag on the Rideau Canal to launch celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

In attendance was Joan O’Malley from Ottawa. She stitched the original Canadian Flag prototype in 1963.

“I don’t want stars and stripes on my flag,” she said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa.

She says the maple leaf symbol is just as important today as it was then and to see it be flown 60 years on is a proud moment.

“I’m so fortunate and, you know, to be a Canadian and to have been at the birth of our flag - I love our flag.”

Canada’s five living former prime ministers are calling on Canadians to fly the flag proudly in light of Trump’s comments.

Rob Armstrong is a Canadian Paralympian; he says when he and his team play under the flag he feels a part of something bigger than himself.

The sales of Canadian flags have surged in recent weeks, and he says this year’s flag day feels specifically poignant.

“Everyone’s thinking about how important it is to be Canadian and what values Canadians have.”

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