Folding the National Flag of Canada

There is an official procedure for folding the National Flag of Canada. The flag-folding etiquette was created by the Government of Canada for use by all Canadians. Every flag-folding ceremony is performed in exactly the same manner, no matter the type of ceremony and whether it is military, paramilitary, civil, private or public.

However, many organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, have their own traditions and customs and, consequently, different terminology is sometimes used.

The different steps to fold the National Flag of Canada are the following:

Steps:

1. The flag is folded in half along its long axis. The bottom of the flag (to the left in this image) is folded under.
2. The flag is again folded in half along its long axis. The lower part of the flag (to the left in this image) is folded under.
3. The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The right part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
4. The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
5. The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded under.
6. The flag is folded in half along its short axis. The left part of the flag (toward the bottom in this image) is folded over.
7. This is what the flag looks like when properly folded.

These steps may be executed by groups of two, seven or nine people. Watch the animations on the Canadian Heritage website for a demonstration of the procedures.