2 X 3 Alaska State Flag Framed - ak flag
When several different national flags are flown together on flagpoles, the flags are displayed in accordance with the United Nations (UN) order of precedence, which uses English alphabetical order. The National Flag of Canada always takes precedence on Canadian soil. If it is necessary or desirable to show the symbolic equality of the nations represented in a sequence of more than 3 flags, a second Canadian National Flag may be added at the right end of the sequence of flags.
If the row of flagpoles is perpendicular to the building frontage and visitors approach the building from the front, then the first flag in the row, which is seen first by visitors, has precedence.
The National Flag of Canada always takes precedence over all other national flags when flown on Canadian soil. Therefore, it should always be placed in the position of honour.
When a Royal Tour is being conducted by a senior member of the Royal Family other than The King, their Personal Canadian Flag is to be flown. When possible, a separate flagpole should be erected. It would not be appropriate for both a Royal and Vice-Regal Flag to fly from the same flagpole.
The King’s Personal Canadian Flag, as well as the Personal Canadian Flags of members of the Royal Family and the personal flags of the governor general and lieutenant governors (in their province of jurisdiction) when assuming the duties of the representative of the King, all take precedence over the National Flag of Canada on the buildings where these dignitaries are in residence or attending a function.
Note: Position 1 is the position of honour. Positions 3 (at left) or 4 (at right) are not considered the position of honour. These positions are used to display either a personal or corporate flag or pennant/burgee.
Flags displayed flanking an entrance start with the National Flag of Canada on the left, in the place of honour, followed by the provinces, in order of precedence, followed by the territories. The order alternates sides, starting from the left, then right, then left and so on.
A common combination of flags is one that displays the National Flag of Canada with a provincial or territorial flag, and a municipal flag or an organization’s flag. In this case, the National Flag of Canada is in the centre with the provincial/territorial flag to the left and the municipal/organizational flag to the right, when facing the stand of flags.
When displaying more than one car pennant, the position of honour is the front right fender (passenger’s side). For example, if the Prime Minister shares a car with His Majesty The King, The King’s Personal Canadian Flag will be displayed on the right front fender and the National Flag of Canada will be displayed on the left front fender. If the Prime Minister shares a vehicle with a foreign head of state or government, the National Flag of Canada is displayed on the right front fender and the foreign flag is displayed on the left front fender.
Since the position of honour and order of precedence depends on an observer’s view of an arrangement of flags, there may be instances where complicated internal or external architecture, paths or approach make determining such arrangements difficult. Generally, the best practice is to place flags visibly along the main approach or at the main entrance of a building, room or space.
If more than 3 flags are carried in line abreast and only one National Flag of Canada is available, it should be positioned on the right-hand end of the line facing the direction of movement, which is the leftmost position from the point of view of spectators viewing the procession head-on.
The Personal Flags of The King, of other members of the Royal Family, of the governor general and of the lieutenant governors (in their respective jurisdictions) all take precedence over the National Flag of Canada.
The latest territorial flag to be created, that of Nunavut (1999), was designed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority with input from Inuit communities and artists. The inuksuk and the Niqirtsituk are 2 important symbols found on the Nunavut Flag.
When flags are displayed in a semi-circle, whether indoors or outdoors, the National Flag of Canada should be flown in the leftmost position, as viewed from the main approach, followed by the other flags, in order of precedence.
When a group of buildings function as a unit or are physically connected, as might be the case with an office complex for example, it is not required that every building display flags. A single flag or display of flags can be used to represent the entire complex. The flags should be appropriately placed and visible, and respect the order of precedence and position of honour.
The only flags to which precedence is given over the National Flag of Canada are The King’s Personal Canadian Flag, the governor general’s flag, the flags of the lieutenant governors (within their jurisdictions) and the Personal Canadian Flags of other members of the Royal Family.
When an arrangement of multiple flagpoles exists but only some are used to fly flags, the vacant poles are disregarded. Position of honour and order of precedence are determined only according to the poles on which flags are flying.
If there is no order of precedence between the other 2 flags, they should be placed in alphabetical order to the left and right of the National Flag of Canada respectively, when an observer is facing the flagpoles.
When The King is present, The King’s Personal Canadian Flag always takes precedence over all other flags in Canada, including that of the governor general, the lieutenant governors and the National Flag of Canada.
The order of precedence for the flying of the provincial flags is according to the date of entry of the province into Confederation, by population at the time of entry into the Dominion. The 3 territories’ flags are displayed in order of creation and follow those of the provinces.
When displayed on a flagpole fitted with a yardarm or a gaff, flags should be displayed in order of precedence, in the following positions:
Flags displayed in a “V” shape start with the National Flag of Canada in the centre, in the place of honour, followed by the provinces, in order of precedence, followed by the territories. The order alternates sides, starting from the left, then right, then left and so on.
If 3 flags are carried in line abreast and only one National Flag of Canada is available, it should be positioned in the middle.
When displaying 2 flags on poles, the National Flag of Canada is on the left when facing the display, in the position of honour.
Should several flags be arranged outside a building or in another open space in an enclosed circle, the National Flag of Canada should be placed in the most prominent position, more specifically the central position of the circle of flags as viewed from the main approach.
When the National Flag of Canada is flown alone on top of or in front of a building where there are multiple flagpoles, it should be flown on the flagpole identified as the place of honour as the observer is facing the stand of flags.
If the row of flagpoles is perpendicular to the building frontage and visitors approach from either side, then the flags are displayed in the proper order of precedence as seen by approaching visitors.
If multiple flagpoles at any given venue are separated into 2 or more obvious and distinct groups, each group of flagpoles observes its own order of precedence. Furthermore, there may also be precedence between groups of flagpoles whereby a group to the left when seen by an observer has precedence over a group on the right.
It is important to note that unlike the Vice-Regal Flags flown by the governor general and lieutenant governors in their respective jurisdictions, the Territorial Commissioners’ Flags do not take precedence over all others. They do not displace the National Flag of Canada or the Territorial Flag, thus provision should be made for them to fly on a separate flagpole.
When displaying 3 flags, the National Flag of Canada is in the centre, in the position of honour. To an observer facing the flags, the second-ranking flag in order of precedence is placed to the left, and the third-ranking flag is placed to the right.
It should also be noted that the Government of Quebec has decreed that on all buildings under its authority within the province of Quebec, whether it be those of government departments, boards, schools or others, as well as on city halls, the provincial flag of Quebec is given precedence over the National Flag of Canada and must occupy the place of honour. This does not apply to the Federal government’s properties in Quebec, where the National Flag of Canada retains precedence.
For example, when The King arrives on Parliament Hill, the National Flag of Canada on the Peace Tower is replaced by His Majesty’s Personal Canadian Flag for the duration of his visit on Parliament Hill.
The order of precedence for flags, for all federal buildings and institutions, is under the authority of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Each province and territory has a flag that reflects its heritage and represents all the people of the province or territory. These flags should be treated with the same respect as the National Flag of Canada.
Flags displayed along a wall start with the National Flag of Canada on the left, in the place of honour; followed by the provinces, in order of precedence; followed by the territories. If desired, another National Flag of Canada may be placed at the end, on the right side of the display.
When crossed with another flag, the National Flag of Canada should be on the left when an observer is facing the flags; the flagpole bearing the National Flag of Canada should cross in front of the pole bearing the other flag.
The governor general’s Flag shall take precedence during all events that are considered federal in nature. However, during events considered provincial in nature, the lieutenant governor’s Flag shall take precedence over the governor general’s Flag within the lieutenant governor’s jurisdiction. This does not apply when the event is taking place on a Canadian Armed Forces installation, in an RCMP establishment or aboard on one of His Majesty’s Canadian Ships. In these cases, the flag of the governor general, as Commander-in-Chief of Canada, shall take precedence.
Additionally, no flag except for those listed above may be flown higher than the National Flag of Canada. When the National Flag of Canada is half-masted, all flags in the immediate vicinity or part of the same flag group must be half-masted as well.
When multiple flagpoles are placed outside a building, the row of flagpoles should ideally be parallel to the building frontage. They are displayed in the proper order of precedence as seen by approaching visitors.
Other Personal Canadian Flags of the Royal Family displace the National Flag of Canada but not those of the governor general or lieutenant governors, as they are personal representatives of the King.
However, if a member of the Royal Family is present in The King’s stead and officially acting as His Majesty’s representative, their Personal Flag is given the same status as The King’s Personal Canadian Flag. In this case only, the Personal Canadian Flag of the member of the Royal Family acting for The King also takes precedence over the governor general’s and/or the lieutenant governor’s flag, in addition to the National Flag of Canada.
When there are more than 3 flagpoles, the National Flag of Canada should be flown the farthest to the left when an observer is facing the flags, followed by the other flags, in order of precedence.
If multiple organizational flags are displayed, they should respect the following order of precedence: international, national, provincial, territorial, regional, municipal and commercial or private organizations.
When displaying flags of several nations, all flags, including the National Flag of Canada, should be flown on separate flagpoles, at the same height and be approximately the same size without, however, changing the flags’ proportions. The National Flag of Canada should be raised first and lowered last, unless the number of flags allows all of them to be raised and lowered at the same time. If an existing arrangement of flagpoles of unequal height is used, all flags must be flown at the same level with the National Flag of Canada occupying the position of honour.
If more than one member of the Royal Family is attending an event, only the flag of the member with precedence shall be flown.
When a Royal Tour is being conducted by a senior member of the Royal Family, their Personal Canadian Flag shall take precedence over the Territorial Commissioners’ Flags.
