Manitoba

Manitoba’s flag is a defaced Canadian Red Ensign bearing the provincial shield. It was formally approved in October 1965 and first raised on 12 May 1966. The design was adopted after Canada introduced the maple-leaf national flag, with Manitoba choosing to preserve the Red Ensign tradition in provincial form. The shield’s bison represents the province’s natural wealth and the historic importance of the animal to Indigenous peoples and early settlers, while the Cross of St George and Union Jack reflect British and English heritage.