<P> No law dictates the proper use of the Canadian flag . However, Canadian Heritage has released guidelines on how to correctly display the flag alone and with other flags . The guidelines deal with the order of precedence in which the Canadian flag is placed, where the flag can be used, how it is used, and what people should do to honour the flag . The suggestions, titled Flag Etiquette in Canada, were published by Canadian Heritage in book and online formats and last updated in August 2011 . The flag itself can be displayed on any day at buildings operated by the Government of Canada, airports, military bases, and diplomatic offices, as well as by citizens, during any time of the day . When flying the flag, it must be flown using its own pole and must not be inferior to other flags, save for, in descending order, the Queen's standard, the governor general's standard, any of the personal standards of members of the Canadian Royal Family, or flags of the lieutenant governors . The Canadian flag is flown at half - mast in Canada to indicate a period of mourning . Canadian Forces does have a special protocol for folding the Canadian flag for presentations, such as during a funeral ceremony; however, CF does not recommend this method for everyday use . </P> <P> Since the adoption of the Canadian flag in 1965, the Canadian government has sponsored programs to promote it . Examples include the Canadian Parliamentary Flag Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the flag program run by the Department of Public Works . These programs increased the exposure of the flag and the concept that it was part of the national identity . To increase awareness of the new flag, the Parliamentary Flag Program was set up in December, 1972, by the Cabinet and, beginning in 1973, allowed members of the House of Commons to distribute flags and lapel pins in the shape of the Canadian flag to their constituents . Flags that have been flown on the Peace Tower and the East and West Blocks of Parliament Hill are packaged by the Department of Public Works and offered to the public free of charge . However, the program has a 34 - year waiting list for East and West Block flags, and a 48 - year waiting list for Peace Tower flags . </P> <P> Since 1996, February 15 has been commemorated as National Flag of Canada Day . In 1996, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps instituted the One in a Million National Flag Challenge . This program was intended to provide Canadians with a million new national flags in time for Flag Day, 1997 . The program was controversial because it cost some $45 million, and provided no means to hoist or fly the flags . The official numbers from Canadian Heritage put the expenses at $15.5 million, with approximately a seventh of the cost offset by donations . </P>

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