The Great Canadian Flag Project

The Great Canadian Flag project is based out of Windsor, Ontario. The project includes the display of a giant Canadian flag in Dieppe Gardens at the intersection of Ouellette Avenue and Riverside Drive. In terms of size, the flag itself measures 18 by 9 metres and is anchored on a 47.5 metre flagpole. The flag was officially raised on May 20th, 2017. This ceremony occurred in conjunction with the 11th annual Mayor’s Walk in celebration of Windsor’s 125th birthday.

Though it was not until 2012 that the Great Canadian Flag Project would officially take off, the concept of having a large Canadian flag in Dieppe Gardens was introduced in 1980 by Thomas G.M. McDade. A formal proposal for this large Canadian flag was officially submitted to Windsor’s City Council on December 4th, 2012. The project was approved by City Council on February 17, 2015.

For five years, the project team has raised funds to have the flag installed and for any future required maintenance. To date, $330,000 has been raised through donations to the project; a portion of these donations consists of a Canada 150 grant from the Government of Canada. Local lawyer and author Peter Hrastovec, a consistent advocate for and supporter of the project, sees the flag as a celebration for all Canadians.

Sources:

CBC News. (2017, May 20). Giant Canadian flag goes up in Windsor. CBC News Q&A.

CBC News. (2017, May 20). Giant Canadian flag flies high over Windsor. CBC News Windsor.

The Great Canadian Flag Project. (n.d.).

Loiselle, Adelle. (2017, May 20). Long awaited Canadian flag goes up on riverfront. Blackburn News.

Schmidt, D. (2017, May 13). Highest standard; pole for great canadian flag rises over riverfront at dieppe gardens. The Windsor Star.

Schmidt, Doug. (2017, January 14). Windsor’s biggest flag to help mark Canada’s 150th anniversary. Windsor Star.

Schmidt, D. (2013, Jan 08). Massive maple leaf proposed for waterfront; symbol of pride is ‘missing’. The Windsor Star.