Early in 1964, Alan B. Beddoe, an artist and heraldic advisor (Heraldry is a broad term, encompassing the study of armorial bearings and the symbolism and usage of flags), presented Pearson with a novel flag design. It included three red maple leaves connected by one stem on a white field boarded by two blue bars. Pearson favoured its simple message: Canada from sea to sea. This design became known as the “Pearson Pennant”. He introduced it to Parliament in June, 1964, but his proposal was strongly opposed.
So in September of the same year, Pearson created an all-party committee consisting of seven Liberals, five Conservatives, one New Democrat, one Social Creditor, and one Créditiste. They were given six weeks to decide on a final design. This period was known for the “Great Flag Debate” wherein many disputes ensued between those members believing that the flag should utilize symbols that tied Canada to its colonial history and those believing that Canada should adopt its own symbols for the future.
June, 1964