Any Canadian citizen can apply to get one of the flags that flies atop the tallest point of Canada’s parliament buildings, but the current wait time to get it is 42 years. The flag atop the Peace Tower is changed five days a week, and each one is sent off to someone who has requested it. 8,363 citizens are on the waiting list.
There was turmoil in Canada when the initiative was launched. The French-speaking province of Quebec was preparing a referendum on whether it should separate from the rest of Canada and form its own country. The people eventually voted no on a convoluted question by the slimmest of margins.
Proud worker has ordered a flag too
“I’m filled with pride,” says Robert Labonté, the man who raises and lowers the flags. As he descends from the Peace Tower with the flag he says he sings the national anthem as a little celebration. He himself has signed up for one, but like everyone else he will have to wait to take delivery.
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