Saturday Night
Saturday Night
by Kent Edward Baxter
Originally Written: Saturday, 26 August 2000
UNFLAGGING PATRIOTISM
Sir,
While Ira Lefebvre, founder of the Canadian Patriots Alliance, claims that the proudest day in his life was when the Royal Canadian Navy stopped using the White Ensign and raised the Canadian flag, I and many others feel that it was perhaps one of the saddest days in Canadian history ("Do you think Patriotism is Important?," Bearings, July 29/August 5).
From that day on, any symbolic inheritance from the United Kingdom was discarded like unwanted rubbish, and virtually by decree to boot! Not something to be proud of, as many of these changes by Liberal governments of the day were often not approved by elected members of Parliament, the foundation of the democracy that Canada purports to be.
In defying this continuing trend,
a Red (or Blue) Ensign always adorns my study and my cottage, in
addition to our national flag. As a Canadian, it's only fitting
that I not only celebrate Canadian history, but also celebrate
our membership in and contributions to the British Commonwealth
and Empire. By doing so, I have been able to educate those from
other countries about our history, just as a true patriot should.