Canadian Nationalists Rally Around Red Ensign Flag

Grassroots movement challenges government's embrace of modern 'Liberal Leaf' flag

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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In a recent social media uprising, Canadian nationalists have been flooding the replies of government officials and prominent figures with posts featuring the old Red Ensign flag, in protest of the country's adoption of the modern 'Liberal Leaf' flag. This resurgence of interest in the Red Ensign highlights growing dissatisfaction among some Canadians with the perceived loss of traditional national symbols and identity.

Why it matters

The flag debate reflects deeper tensions around Canadian national identity and the role of government in shaping cultural symbolism. The Red Ensign's popularity online suggests a grassroots movement to reclaim a sense of historical rootedness, in contrast with the 'Liberal Leaf' which some view as a shallow, politically-motivated replacement. This clash of visions for Canada's national iconography could have broader implications for the country's political and social landscape.

The details

On Canada's Flag Day, nationalist groups coordinated an online campaign to 'Ensignmog' the replies of government officials and other prominent figures who posted about the modern Canadian flag. Hundreds of users responded by sharing images of the Red Ensign, the previous national flag which featured the British Union Jack. Proponents of the Red Ensign argue it has deeper symbolic meaning, reflecting Canada's imperial British origins, while critics view it as outdated and overly focused on the country's colonial past.

  • On February 15, 2026, Canadians celebrated the country's Flag Day, marking the replacement of the Red Ensign with the modern 'Liberal Leaf' flag.
  • In the days following Flag Day, Canadian nationalists launched a coordinated social media campaign to flood government officials' posts with images of the Red Ensign.

The players

David Bexte

A Conservative Member of Parliament who publicly expressed his fondness for the Red Ensign flag.

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What they’re saying

“I really don't think it is. Only a few years ago Canadians were barely even aware that the Red Ensign or the Canadian Shield existed. They had been effectively erased from history. Then nationalists pulled them out of the memory hole and repurposed them as battle standards around which to rally the Canadian chuds, reawakening their sense of themselves as a people.”

— John Carter, Author (substack.com)

What’s next

The growing popularity of the Red Ensign flag among Canadian nationalists could lead to further political and social tensions, as the government continues to promote the 'Liberal Leaf' as the official national symbol.

The takeaway

The flag debate in Canada highlights the ongoing struggle over national identity and the role of government in shaping cultural symbols. The resurgence of the Red Ensign suggests a grassroots movement to reclaim a sense of historical identity, in contrast with the government's embrace of a more modern and politically-charged flag design.