MP Doug Shipley (Con-Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte) introduced a bill in Parliament on Wednesday that aims to curb the practice of "maple washing" on Canadian flags.
Known as the Made in Canada Flag Act, Bill C-281 would require Canadian flags sold in Canada to clearly display their country of origin directly on the product and its packaging.
The legislation would apply to Canadian flags that meet minimum size requirements, which is typically a ratio of two to one for official flags.
No such requirement currently exists, which Shipley said in the House of Commons creates a loophole that allows imported products to be marketed without transparency.
“This is about honesty and fairness,” Shipley said in a news release. “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.”
“If Canadians want to buy Canadian-made flags, the choice should be obvious.”
The bill aims to support Canadian manufacturers, including a major flagmaker in Barrie within Shipley's riding, as well as promoting transparency from manufacturers and the integrity of the Canadian flag as a national symbol.
“This legislation does not ban imports or impose tariffs,” Shipley added. “It ensures transparency. It is a practical measure that supports Canadian jobs and helps Canadians shop and display their national pride with confidence.”
A release from the Conservative Party says that industry stakeholders have raised concerns that “maple-washing,” the practice of marketing foreign-made flags as Canadian, undermines domestic businesses and misleads consumers.
