Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander issued the following statement to mark Commonwealth Day:

 

“Today, many great nations around the world will celebrate Commonwealth Day.

“From sunrise to sunset, Canada will proudly display the Royal Union Flag – an official flag of Canada commonly called the Union Jack – alongside our national flag at airports and federal establishments across the country. This is a powerful symbol of our membership in the Commonwealth of Nations, a peaceful association which spans six continents.

 

“The Royal Union Flag is also a proud reminder that, throughout our history, Canadians from diverse backgrounds have united to fight for the Canadian Crown to defend our common inheritance of ordered liberty.

 

“Canadians continue to be united in our Commonwealth heritage and its contributions to our values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

“As Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, I proudly join Canadians as we celebrate Commonwealth Day with more than 2 billion people from around the world.