<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 . 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> <P> Many museums across the country have special historic flags in their collections . Settlers, Rails & Trails Inc., of Argyle, Manitoba is home to Canada's 2nd largest flag collection (second only to the Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec) The Canadian Flag Collection contains over 1,300 historic, corporate, regional, sport and special occasion flags . </P>

Why is the maple leaf an important symbol of canada