File talk:Flag of Canada.svg

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I just reverted this flag. As far as I could tell, the only difference with Optimager's version was to scale it down to only 792x396, so it didn't display at full width on the image description page. User:dbenbenn 00:02, 11 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Colour[edit]

According to the w:Flag of Canada page "PMS032 (flag red 100%) or PMS485 (used for screens)", and a pantone colour matcher, the correct red is either      #ED2E38      or      #D42E12     .

(But the second, "used for screens" colour is still listed under the printing ink colours section, so perhaps screen mean 'silkscreens'? The first one looks a lot better/closer, imo.)

Is anyone able to update this image's colour efficiently? --Quiddity 21:23, 15 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

We could update it, but it is suggested by Canadian Heritage to use CMYK 0/100/100/0 if you are going to be printing this out. Given how most of the printing that will be done with this image will be on computer paper for school projects, the shade of red is perfectly fine. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 22:34, 15 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Ah ok, that makes sense; and I came straight here and missed the wikipedia talkpage, thanks for fixing the link to there and helping me notice it ;) That page answers a lot of questions I had, like why they're using the 255/0/0 red we use, at the official website[1] for the top-left flag icon, but not for anything else on that page. Anyway, thanks again :)--Quiddity 00:05, 17 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]
No problem. We try to use the RGB code as much as possible, then if that is not possible, CMYK, then Pantone. If either are not available, or at least declared officially, we just roll the dice and see what works. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 05:49, 17 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Is there somewhere a general discussion of transmissive vs. reflective colour use? Flags are generally somewhat translucent, and flown against the sky (or sometimes buildings) as background. The colour seen changes depends on the background and foreground light. When backlit the red of this flag becomes more orange than when forelit. Yet the PCH only specifies reflective colour, as for printing or screening inks and paints. There's a missing component. LeadSongDog (talk) 15:05, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]
The only discussion was to use what specific color shade (either RGB, CMYK, Pantone) for this image and not really anything else. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 15:18, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]
I get that, but we seem to be misusing the information. The PCH site gives no verbal guidance on transmissive colour (such as readers see on their screens), just on reflective colour of ink. We can only infer the transmissive colour from their practice: what they actually show on the web page.131.137.245.208 22:21, 9 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]
According to Pantone website, PMS032 should be one of following colors:
  • Red 032 C: #EF3340, Red 032 U: #F65058, Red 032 CP: #DC3D46, Red 032 UP: #DF5859; Red 032 XGC: #E3454B.
And PMS485 should be one of following colors:
  • 485 C: #DA291C; 485 U: #E45D50; 485 CP: #DD3C27; 485 UP: #E15E51; 485 XGC: #D82520.
--Great Brightstar (talk) 20:32, 30 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]


@The Navigators: Hi,
It seems (see [2]) your wrote about CMYK specifications for color red.
Sorry, but in the CMYK model, we are unable to have such a bright red. Instead, it is the w:RGB color model that is used.
CMYK is for printing (substractive colors) while RGB is for display (additive colors). Additive and substractive gamuts cannot be superimposed in totality, i.e. some colors in one model cannot be rendered in the other. This is the case for this "full range RGB" red value: it cannot be printed, i.e. it has no CMYK equivalent. Yours, En rouge (talk) 12:08, 8 July 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Copyright seems incorrect[edit]

Doesn't the copyright belong to the Canadian government and not the person who uploaded it? PatPeter 20:02, 20 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Since it was created in 1965, it is in theory still under Crown Copyright. But I have gotten emails from Canadian Heritage saying our use is not improper, etc. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 14:41, 21 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Then the copyright block needs to be changed. It currently reads "public domain", which is incorrect. --Robkelk (talk) 17:21, 10 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Description[edit]

Might somebody please add these to the description?

Nēhiyawēwin / ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ: Kânata kiskiwêhon / ᑳᓇᑕ ᑭᐢᑭᐁᐧᑭᐣ

Tłįchǫ: Canada yalômbà

ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ / inuktitut: Kanataup saimmati / ᑲᓇᑕᐅᑉ ᓴᐃᒻᒪᑎ
Latina: Vexillium Canadae

Homo lupus (talk) 20:27, 9 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

"Fixed leaf"…[edit]

Re: this edit
Zscout, there's no way that unreferenced low quality image justifies making the leaf asymmetrical. If you have a proper source please cite it, otherwise please change it back. ¦ Reisio (talk) 20:20, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

If Canadian Heritage is not proper source, then what is? User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 23:24, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't question the site so much as the accuracy and relevance of a low quality image which seems to only be used as an illustration of the proper width & height ("Proportions"), and not the leaf's precise outline. There are several ways they could have made it clear the leaf is not meant to be symmetrical — something one would consider particularly relevant to such a page — I'd say, and they've opted for none of them. The very proportions (2:1) it does explicitly describe are not even accurately portrayed in the image. ¦ Reisio (talk) 09:18, 18 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Kept the last leaf, but had to change the size to 270x250 pixels. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 23:30, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Wrong format?[edit]

Why is flag is build up in the format of 2:1 and not like a normal flag in 5:3 as you can buy it on the internet? Is there any source or reason? By the way, the link to the Department of Canadian Heritage is broken maybe someone couild repare it. Skatz-Nelstar (talk) 23:31, 22 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The official ratio is 1x2, see this page. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 03:16, 23 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This Wikipedia Leaf shape is incorrect - bottom part is too flat[edit]

If you look at the proper and official leaf shape on flags you can see that the leaf used here is drawn incorrectly. See the flag at the Gov't of Canada site for the properly shaped leaf. http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/df2-eng.cfm

Quite an obvious difference in that this one is too flat on the bottom of the leaf. When drawn properly as on real flags and officially the bottom is more angled. Can someone please correct this?

Ok, I can see what can be done. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 02:19, 17 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]
I personally do not like that construction drawing since it is very crudely done. I have a better scan from Canadian Heritage; it gives the leaf stem as more of an upward curve but not that much. From counting the little sqaures, the leaf is 24x27 units. I am about to ask if Canadian Heritage can put vector drawings of the flag online so we can be sure everything is correct. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 04:56, 18 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Category[edit]

{{Editprotected}} Hello. Please move this file from the general Category:Flags of Canada to the more specific Category:National flag of Canada. The latter category pertains to the maple leaf flag. Thanks. --Skeezix1000 (talk) 15:30, 2 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

License tag in error?[edit]

{{Editprotected}} Someone should remove the "trademark" tag as only the "insignia" tag is necessary in such an image. mechamind90 02:11, 12 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

We do the same for the European Union flag, so it is relevant information. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 05:53, 14 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

new cat[edit]

I'm sorting Category:SVG sovereign state flags alphabetically. Please edit the cat tag to "Category:SVG sovereign state flags|Canada" Fry1989 (talk) 23:19, 17 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

✓ Done. --ZooFari 01:52, 18 January 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Also used at. . .[edit]

Manual listing of other resources not polled by the 'used in' function.

Canadian Heritage link[edit]

{{editrequest}} The link to the Canadian Heritage website is now broken. The updated version of the link is http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/df1-eng.cfm. Nikkimaria (talk) 02:27, 1 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Done. User:Zscout370 (Return fire) 06:07, 1 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

sl[edit]

{{Editprotected}} Please, add the description: "sl: Zastava [[Kanada|Kanade]]". Thank you. --Eleassar (t/p) 08:38, 16 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]

✓ Done, thanks for helping! odder (talk) 09:49, 16 October 2012 (UTC)[reply]

split rectangles[edit]

{{Editprotected}} Please replace with File:Flag of Canada split rectangles.svg to avoid image scaling bugs. ⁓ Hello71 17:15, 10 August 2018 (UTC)[reply]

✓ Done Sebari – aka Srittau (talk) 15:21, 26 August 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Edit request[edit]

{{Edit request}}

I want request upload a new version from File:Flag of Canada fixed.svg, and I also requested to Requested updates to protected images. Thank you. --Tcfc2349 (talk) 16:47, 10 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Why do you want this change? It looks like you want to start the drawing with white rectangle that covers the whole flag instead of just applying white to the middle of the flag. I don't see that it makes much of a difference, but I am curious why you want the change? MapGrid (talk) 21:41, 10 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Because I think it's not too bad to apply the way you said. There is no particular reason. --Tcfc2349 (talk) 22:19, 10 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
You did not really answer the question. Why do you want the change? Are you by any chance trying to fix a background color bleed issue? MapGrid (talk) 02:46, 11 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
In fact, most tricolor files are made up in this way. So I've edited this file a little bit to fit this. I also edited the intention of the person who requested the editing before. I'm sorry that I can not tell you this. --Tcfc2349 (talk) 03:08, 11 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Tcfc2349, I have opened a new edit request below; it is completely unrelated to your request. I have created a brand new file SVG file with a brand new path for the maple leaf. I did try and make sure the entire background was painted white before applying any red. Have a look at File:Flag of Canada (2019 revamp).svg and let me know if it meets your approval. And FYI... I replaced File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg today. I see that you had updated it yesterday. If I broke anything in that file let me know. MapGrid (talk) 07:05, 17 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I also think that your opinion is not bad. Thank you for your feedback. --Tcfc2349 (talk) 10:52, 17 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
 Not done See below. --jdx Re: 17:54, 18 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Revamp required[edit]

{{Edit request}}
Please replace File:Flag of Canada.svg with File:Flag of Canada (2019 revamp).svg

The standards for the flag of Canada are maintained in two government documents:

  • CAN/CGSB-98.1 "National flag of Canada (outdoor use)"
  • CAN/CGSB-98.2 "National flag of Canada (indoor use)"

The documents are updated every few years; CAN/CGSB-98.1 was updated in 1992, 2003, 2011, & 2018.

  • CAN/CGSB-98.1-2003 contains a reasonably high quality image of the official 1964 drawing. Handwritten text has been replaced with typewritten text. Download requires the creation of a free account.
  • CAN/CGSB-98.1-2018 contains a modern vector image that has been created with the aid of a computer.


The 1964 drawing includes a 32×32 grid and a clearly marked centerline. The grid covers only the left half of the drawing, with the implication that the flag is supposed to be completely symmetric. The drawing has some minor asymmetries which are simply a result of it being done by hand.

The vector image in CAN/CGSB-98.1-2018 has a 32×32 grid and a clearly marked centerline to make it look the same as the 1964 drawing. The leaf is symmetric. There are a few minor flaws in the vector image, some are more noticeable than others:

  • gridline spacing is not consistent.
  • centreline is not precisely centered.
  • maple leaf is not precisely centered.
  • there is one badly placed Bezier handle on each side of the maple leaf which results in two very small bumps.

In spite of its minor flaws, the left side matches very closely with the left side of the 1964 drawing. Mismatches on the right side are due to the asymmetries in the 1964 drawing.

The shape of the leaf in File:Flag of Canada.svg should be a close match to the vector image from CAN/CGSB-98.1-2018; and its left side should be a close match the left side of the 1964 drawing.
Alignment tests reveal that File:Flag of Canada.svg does not actually match the vector image or the drawing.

Close inspection of File:Flag of Canada.svg (last updated August 26/2018) reveals:

  • the bottom of stem on the maple leaf is not centered on the flag's centreline; it is off by 13% of its own width.
  • the stem is 16% narrower and 8% longer than what is shown in the government drawings/documents; this is significant and easy to notice with the naked eye.
  • the points on the leaf do not line up perfectly with the points shown in government drawings/documents.
  • the SVG path is defined with 8 significant digits, but it is not accurate to 8 digits. E.g. the top point on the leaf is at x=499.99288 instead of x=500.
  • the path used to create the leaf is not closed.

Looking at all the revisions of File:Flag of Canada.svg for the last ten years I don't see anything that looks correct.

I have taken very careful measurements from the the image of the 1964 drawing and I derived a new unofficial mathematical definition for the maple leaf that uses 25 line segments and 12 arcs. I did not see a need to use Bézier curves as I believe that the draftsperson who created the drawing used a circular object to draw the inside curves on the maple leaf. The measurements are displayed in a construction sheet which can be found here: File:Flag of Canada (construction sheet 2).svg.

Alignment tests show that the new path very closely matches both the leaf found in the official government drawing and the leaf found the vector image from CAN/CGSB-98.1-2018.

I created a layered SVG file that can be used to simultaneously compare:

  • the image of the 1964 drawing from CAN/CGSB-98.1-2003
  • a perfect 64x64 grid
  • the government vector image from CAN/CGSB-98.1-2018 (complete with its own grid) (purple)
  • the Wikimedia SVG path taken from the current (August 26/2018) Wikimedia Flag of Canada file (red)
  • an SVG path generated very precisely from my new mathematical definition (green)

The layered file is currently available here: flag-comparison.svg. There are two methods to view the it:

  1. View it directly inside your web browser; use the JavaScript enabled buttons to change opacity of the different layers. Zoom in with the browser zoom controls.
  2. View it Inkscape. Use the "layers" panel to change visibility and opacity of the different layers. Zoom in as much as you want.

Unfortunately I don't think it is appropriate or legal for me to upload the file to Wikimedia. Also, the file uses JavaScript to control the layer opacity; Wikimedia will not allow files with JavaScript.

I have uploaded a new candidate for File:Flag of Canada.svg. It is nominally 1200x600 instead of 1000x500 because many of the other national flags on Wikimedia have a nominal height of 600. The new candidate file is: File:Flag of Canada (2019 revamp).svg. MapGrid (talk) 05:24, 17 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Can anybody speak to the scaling bug that required the use of "split rectangles" in the update on Aug 26/2018? I maintained the split rectangles in File:Flag of Canada (2019 revamp).svg, but I am not convinced it was necessary to do so. In what software and/or environment did this bug show up? MapGrid (talk) 15:00, 18 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I think it would be better to explain the matter to the person who raised the problem. And if the file uploaded before August 26, 2018 is not a problem, it would not be too bad to edit it at that time or revert back to the file at that time. --Tcfc2349 (talk) 00:22, 19 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I just did two minor code reduction changes to File:Flag of Canada (2019 revamp).svg and File:Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg:
  • origin moved to top left
  • red is now painted before white.
Neither change should impact the look of the flags. MapGrid (talk) 05:35, 19 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

✓ Done --jdx Re: 17:57, 18 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Add to Category:SVG sovereign state flags[edit]

{{Editprotected}} I suggest adding this to Category:SVG sovereign state flags.

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