Feeling Blue

After the flack they got for the O Canada name-change stunt, I'm surprised they'd try this. But, then again, knowing this government's rabid partisanship, nothing should surprise us anymore:

Tories Propose Changes to Flag
(CP)

OTTAWA — The Conservative Party is set to introduce highly controversial legislation later today that would change the colour of the Canadian flag from red to blue, the Canadian Press has learned. Conservatives say changing the colour of the flag from red to blue would allow the flag to better represent Canada's motto "from sea to sea", but critics are calling it a cynical attempt to fuse Conservative colours into the Canadian identity.

"I think Canadians, when they sit down at their kitchen tables and discuss this, will be horrified" said NDP leader Jack Layton.

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe was ambivalent about the proposal, raising the possibility that the motion could pass with Bloc support: "Red, blue, purple, pink swastikas - we don't care."

Michael Ignatieff refused comment, saying he would take time to review the design before passing judgement.

The current flag was adopted in 1964 after heated debate in the House of Commons, over the fierce objections of opposition leader John Diefenbaker. Several designs, many of them including blue, were considered before the current design was selected.