Heritage Structure | Section 5 – Canadian Forces Ensign

HISTORY

1. The Canadian Forces (CF) Ensign was gazetted as the service flag for the whole of the CF on 13 April 1968 (see Figure 4-5-1).

Figure 4-5-1 The Canadian Forces Ensign

USAGE

2. The CF Ensign:
   1. shall be flown within Canada at a base headquarters fitted with a second flagpole;
   2. may be flown by a unit geographically remote from a base headquarters, if fitted with a second flagpole; and
   3. may be flown outside Canada at CF defence establishments, if fitted with a second flagpole, except that:
      1. the CF Ensign may not be flown alongside or in the same array as national flags of other countries, and
      2. the CF Ensign shall not replace the National Flag of Canada or any other national flag already flown.
3. The CF Ensign shall not be flown:
   1. in Her Majesty's Canadian ships;
   2. except in a miniature version as the Chief of the Defence Staff's distinguishing flag (see Chapter 14, Section 3, paragraph 7), on the same flagpole as the National Flag (it may be flown on the same mast if fitted with gaff or yardarm);
   3. outdoors at military establishments on Canadian territory jointly occupied by Canadian and foreign forces, or foreign bases located in Canada under a long-term lease; or
   4. with a display of all provincial flags.
4. The CF Ensign may be displayed in the locations noted for the National Flag in Section 4, paragraph 4.
5. The CF Ensign may be used to cover an altar for divine services, or a closed casket as noted in Section 2, paragraph 17.
6. The CF Ensign may be carried on ceremonial parades as noted in Section 2, paragraphs 34 to 40.
7. Compliments shall not be paid to the CF Ensign.