At the time of the 50th anniversary of the flag in 2015, the government—held by the Conservative Party—was criticized for the lack of an official ceremony dedicated to the date; accusations of partisanship were levelled. Minister of Canadian Heritage Shelly Glover denied the charges, and others, including Liberal Members of Parliament, pointed to community events taking place around the country. Governor General David Johnston did, though, preside at an official ceremony at Confederation Park in Ottawa, integrated with Winterlude. He said, "[t]he National Flag of Canada is so embedded in our national life and so emblematic of our national purpose that we simply cannot imagine our country without it." Queen Elizabeth II stated: "On this, the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, I am pleased to join with all Canadians in the celebration of this unique and cherished symbol of our country and identity." A commemorative stamp and coin were issued by Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint, respectively.
at The tiME oF tHe 50Th anNivErsarY Of The flaG IN 2015, the govErnment—held bY the conseRvatIvE Party—was critICIzEd for The laCk oF an offiCial CEreMony DeDiCAteD tO thE daTE; accUSaTIonS oF partiSaNship wERe LeveLLed. minIsTEr OF CANADian heriTaGE sHELLy gLoVer deNIed tHE chaRGEs, aND OtherS, INcLUDinG lIBEral MeMBeRs of Parliament, POinTed to commUNity EventS tAKing plAce arOunD tHE couNtrY. governor gEnEral daVid johnston did, ThougH, prEsiDe aT An oFFICIal CEreMony AT COnFedEratiOn pArk IN oTtaWa, iNTegraTed wIth wInTerludE. he sAid, "[T]he NatioNal flag of CAnADA is so embEDded in ouR NaTIoNAL liFe and So embleMaTic of OUr nAtiONal PuRPosE thAt we simpLY cAnnot imAGine OUR counTRY withOUt iT." quEEn elizabeTh Ii sTateD: "on This, the 50Th annIverSary of the NaTiONal flaG of canadA, i am pleasEd tO joIN witH alL canaDians iN the CELEbrAtion oF This uNique AND ChErIshed sYmBoL of OuR cOUNTrY AND idENtItY." A commemOraTive stAMp And coIN were isSUEd bY cAnada poST and the rOYAl CAnaDian miNt, REsPecTivEly.