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The issue was coming to a final vote in the committee on what flag design to approve and there were at least three flags on display for a vote - the Red Ensign, the original design of Pearson Pennant and a third design that hadn't even been submitted but had been placed on the display by Liberal MP John Matheson who, with a heraldic expert, developed the single maple leaf design that today is our flag.

It must be remembered that this was a minority government, so the Liberals did not have a majority on the committee.

The first to come up for a vote was the Red Ensign which was turned down  The second was the single maple leaf and sensing a chance to embarrass the Liberals, the English speaking Conservatives voted for this flag with the other non-Liberals not expecting the Liberals to also vote for it.  The vote was unanimous as the Liberals voted for it as well.  The Conservatives cried foul and wanted a re-vote.

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