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| Joe Cormier, Federal Liberal Candidate for Nickel Belt, brought Canadian Flag pins for the students and staff of St. Mary School, Capreol. Ayden and Katherine were the first to receive their pins on Flag Day. |
February 15, 2011 -
Mr. Joe Cormier, Federal Liberal Candidate for Nickel Belt came to Capreol to speak to students and staff about the recognition of our Canadian Flag, on Flag Day. February 15th is National Flag of Canada Day. He spoke about the history of how the flag came to be. He spoke of the involvement of the Honorable Lester B. Pearson who, while Prime Minister, informed the House of Commons of the government’s desire to adopt a distinctive national flag for Canada. Our recognizable single leaf design was inaugurated at an official Parliament Hill ceremony on February 15, 1965 in the presence of the Governor General, His Excellency General the Right Honorable Georges Vanier, the Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Lester B. Pearson, members of Cabinet and Canadian parliamentarians. Mr. Cormier also brought a flag with him, through the efforts of his wife, Monique, that once flew on Parliament Hill. Students and staff alike, while singing O Canada, had the opportunity to hold and raise the flag. Mr. Cormier shared these words from the Honorable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate: “ The flag is the symbol of the nations’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion.” Students have the opportunity to participate in a special art project - drawing the Canadian Flag in a setting of their choice. Students will have a chance to win a Canadian Flag of their own, along with a copy of a book signed by The Hon. Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Opposition.
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