Barrie MP creates bill to ensure Canadian flags are actually made in Canada

Canadian flag. (File)

A local MP is making waves by introducing a new bill that would make sure Canada flags are truly Canadian.

Conservative MP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte Doug Shipley announced a new bill Wednesday that would require Canada flags sold in Canada to have a clear display of that fact.

According to the proposed legislation, Canada flags would need to display a label showing the originating country not only on the flag itself but on the packaging also.

The Made in Canada Flag Act, Shipley says, is about supporting Canadian manufacturers not only in this region but across the country.

As it stands now, there are no rules for Canada flags that are manufactured abroad to have labels with their country of origin on them.

Shipley says he’d like to see transparency on marketed imported products.

“This is about honesty and fairness,” said MP Shipley. “Canadians deserve to know where their flag comes from. If it is made in Canada, that is something to be proud of. If it is not, Canadians still have a right to make an informed choice.”

Shipley says industry stakeholders have brought up concerns of flags made in other countries being marketed as Canadian-made or otherwise known as “maple-washing.”

Shipley says the legislation would not ban imports or impose tariffs.