Carry it! Fly it! Use it!
Stuart Ash's 1965 symbol for the 1967 Canadian Centennial.
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The approval of the Federation Act of 1867 saw the last legal tie between Canada and Great Britain dissolved, forming a new sovereign state. One hundred years later, Canada would celebrate this moment with a year long programme of cultural activities. Planning and funding allocation for these began in 1961, and would range from small one-off events to larger improvement projects such as the construction of municipal arenas and parks.
To unify these diverse activities and initiates, local and nationally, a symbol was needed. This initially was sought through a design competition, however, this failed to deliver an appropriate result. A different approach was needed.
In 1965 the Federal Government of Canada turned to design firm and typographers Cooper & Beatty for assistance. The firm drafted a brief, which was approved by the government, outlining all the requirements for the symbol. These included the use of a maple leaf (as a representation of Canada), eleven components that should symbolise the nation's geography at the time (ten provinces plus Canada North), and a chance to explore other potential design elements.
