More About Protocol for the Canadian Flag

Marching

• When the Canadian Flag is carried in procession or on a march past, the Flag is on the right of the people marching. When several flags are carried in line, the Canadian flag is in the centre.
  

From a Staff or Pole

• When flown from a staff or pole, the Canadian flag is hoisted after sunrise and lowered before sunset


• During the ceremony of hoisting and lowering the flag, all stand at attention


• When flying the Canadian flag at half-mast, first raise it to the masthead or top of the pole, and then slowly bring it down at least the flag's width from the masthead. The centre of the flag should be exactly halfway down the staff. Flags flown at half-mast are a sign of mourning. The flag is raised again to the peak before lowering.


• If you need to display flags of more than one country (or the World flag or provincial flags), use separate staffs of the same height. If there are two flags, the Canadian flag should be on the left as you face the flags. (That puts the Canadian flag on its own right, which is the place of honour.) If you are flying three flags, put the Canadian flag in the centre. If you are flying more then three flags, put the Canadian flag at the left or fly a Canadian flag at both ends of the line.


• A flag that has been dedicated is never flown from a staff. It can only be carried on a pole.


• When you are flying the Canadian flag on the same staff with the World flag, put the Canadian flag at the top of the staff.


• During the singing of the National Anthem the flag is held at the top of the mast. The colour party does not join in the singing of the National Anthem, but remains at attention. Current practice in Canada is that all stand at attention but do not salute. After the singing of the National Anthem, the flag should be secured to the pole with a clove hitch or round turn hitch. If the pole has a cleat, secure the halyard to it with two half hitches.

Flag Protocol Outside Canada