From a graphic design standpoint, Canada’s National Flag is among the most successful flag designs in the world. The bold simplicity of the design is instantly recognizable and it’s unique proportions (1:2 with a central stripe occupying half of the flag) are known in flag design circles (vexillology) as a “Canadian Pale”. Despite (or perhaps because of) the great success of this design, there is still debate about its authorship. The official story makes it clear that it was a collaborative effort, crediting George F.G. Stanley with the original concepts (though many others suggested similar designs), Jacques St-Cyr with the 11 pointed leaf, George M. Bist with the flags proportions, Dr. Gunter Wyszchi with the precise colour selection and John Matheson as the ‘project manager’ who made it happen. Over time, many others have also stepped forward to claim authorship of the design. Most recently, the obituary of iconic Canadian graphic designer Don Watt, claimed that he had secretly created the design (a claim that he apparently made to his family and others prior to his death). While this conflicts with the official story, it seems there’s at least some grain of truth to Watt’s claims. According to graphic designer Norman Hathaway, his Toronto-based studio Hathaway Templeton was tasked with the final execution of the flag in 1965 – Watt was one of Hathaway Templeton’s staff designers at the time. However, Hathaway is adamant that Watt’s claims to the design are unfounded. Flag histories generally credit Jacques St-Cyr for the flags final graphic design, but the one surviving prototype of St-Cyr’s design (two others have been lost) has an asymmetrical pointed stem. This detail was simplified in the final flag design to prevent “show-through” and the colour also appears to have changed. These design changes are generally overlooked or even credited to John Matheson, but it seems far more likely that this was the contribution of Hathaway Templeton.

Comments

shaheinshahMay 1, 2007
I Love This Flag!!!
James PursellNovember 12, 2009
Sometime about 1975 the color of the Canadian flag changed. The red used to be a slightly orange red, sort of like a redder Chinese red. Then, without fanfare, the flag red changed to the same shade used by the USA. Why?
cynthia hathawayJune 16, 2011
“George Bist had nothing to do with the design of the flag”, quoting Norman B. Hathaway, 2011. “The proportions were worked out by Hathaway Templeton”. Just to add to the story….. as it continues!
JohnAugust 4, 2011
Wasn’t Don Watt involved with the flag design also?
Nick SucciApril 18, 2013
George Bist, had plenty to do with the flag. Please check your facts. He was one of the designers involved that worked directly with the Prime Minister’s office.
CalJune 12, 2013
Uhm… i know George Bist and he have alot to do with the flag so get ur facts straight before anything.
Candice BistJuly 27, 2014
Hi There, Well I can tell you first hand that my dad, George Bist, had a lot to do with the flag. Even as a young girl I remember his work on it, stuffing envelopes with his notes regarding proportions and the shape of the maple leaf, as he sent them samples of his thoughts throughout Canada to all the various government officials. I remember him traveling to Ottawa to the Prime Minister’s office on several occasions as this was a big deal in our household. He did all of this at his own cost, which given that he had a young family of five children and was struggling to set up his own design business at the same time was quite a commitment of both time and money. He had ALOT to say about the flag and put endless hours towards the project. When he retired he did so as a very successful designer, winning almost all the awards at the annual packaging awards event I attended. But towards the end of his life he told me that it was ironic that of all the things which made him money, the one design that had gone into space, was the one for which he was not paid, but the one of which he was the most proud. The flag was indeed a collaborative affair, as it should have been. My father, George Bist, was an important and proud part of that collaboration. He died early this morning, July 27th, 2014 peacefully at the age of 96.
Candice BistJuly 27, 2014
Hi There, Well I can tell you first hand that my dad, George Bist, was very much involved in the development of our Canadian flag. Even as a young girl I remember his work on it, all of us helping to stuff envelopes with his notes regarding proportions and the shape of the maple leaf, as he sent samples of his thoughts throughout Canada to all the various government officials. He traveled to Ottawa to the Prime Minister’s office on several occasions – a big deal in our household. He did all of this at his own cost, which given that he had a young family of five children and was struggling to set up his own design business at the same time was quite a commitment of both time and money. He had ALOT to say about the flag and put endless hours towards the project. When he retired he did so as a very successful designer, winning almost all the awards at the annual packaging awards event I attended. But towards the end of his life he told me that it was ironic that of all the things which made him money, the one design that had gone into space, was the one for which he was not paid, but the one of which he was the most proud. The flag was indeed a collaborative affair, as it should have been. My father, George Bist, was an important and proud part of that collaboration. He died early this morning, July 27th, 2014 peacefully at the age of 96.
Della StanleyNovember 27, 2014
RE: design of flag; See 4 page memo sent by G.F.G.Stanley to John Matheson (at his request) for the Flag Committee on March 23, 1964. Outlines criteria to be considered for selecting a flag and then two hand drawn suggestions. Matheson and Stanley had discussed the single maple leaf design previously and Matheson decided to go with it. The memo is at LAC in Ottawa. Once thought to be lost, it was found in 2002 by archivist Glenn Wright, in the papers of Alan Beddoe, a heraldry expert, who had been asked to prepare a prototype based on the Stanley memo design drawn with a red ink pen. The rough drawing prepared by Stanley had 13 points but they were of no particular significance. Later when 13 points appeared on first printed flags Matheson told Stanley and asked what to do . Stanley simply said take off two and others agreed that made perfect sense. The direct connection is between the memo, Stanley and Matheson. From there it went through several stages ( including singer sewing machine stitched prototype done to show PM) re precise design and colour until the final version was approved.
John GeddesDecember 2, 2014
Hello Della Stanley, I’m writing on the flag’s upcoming birthday, and would very much appreciate a chance to interview you. Please call me: 613 670-8523. John Geddes Ottawa Bureau Chief Maclean’s 613 670-8523 [john.geddes@macleans.rogers.com](mailto:john.geddes@macleans.rogers.com)
Todd FalkowskyMay 6, 2016
I am trying to find the name of the person who actually designed the maple leaf part, we know that he was a Montrealer and worked at one of the agencies involved. Any leads?
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