The flag of the governor or administrator in all other British colonies and dependencies is also the Union Jack, having upon it the arms or badge of the colony on a white shield, surrounded by a green garland of laurel leaves, surmounted by a crown.
In 1870, as a special honour, the imperial sanction was given to Canada to place a garland of maple leaves—its national emblem[168]—instead of the laurel upon the flag of its Governor-General.
The Lieutenant-Governors of the Provinces of Canada also wear the Union Jack as their distinctive flag, bearing upon it the arms of their respective Provinces, surrounded by a similar garland of maple leaves; but as they are appointed by the Government of the Dominion, and not by the King, the garland is not surmounted by a crown (66).
66. Flag of the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec.
In this governor-general's flag, with its royal crown, its maple leaves, and Canadian coat-of-arms, as also in the lieutenant-governors' flags, backed up by the Union Jack, is symbolized the existence of British constitutional government in Canada. In this the reigning King or Queen is the whole Canadian people, and the Premier and his Cabinet are the representatives of the political party for the time being in power.[169] The Cabinet is responsible to Parliament for the policy which they introduce, and for which they, as well as all the other members of the Parliament, are immediately answerable to the electors, who are the original source of their power.
This modern flexible system of responsible government in Canada, so closely in touch with the people, in contrast with the irresponsible and rigid system in the United States, was neatly brought out by Lord Dufferin during his term as Governor-General of Canada, in a speech he delivered at Toronto, in 1874, after his visit to Chicago:
"More than once," said he, "I was addressed with the playful suggestion that Canada should unite her fortunes with those of the great Republic. (Laughter.) To these invitations I invariably replied by acquainting them that in Canada we were essentially a democratic people—great laughter—that nothing would content us unless the popular will could exercise an immediate and complete control over the executive of the country—renewed laughter—that the ministers who conducted the government were but a committee of Parliament, which was in itself an emanation from the constituencies—loud applause—and that no Canadian would be able to breathe freely if he thought the persons administering the affairs of the country were removed beyond the supervision and contact of our legislative assemblies. (Cheers.)"
It is, then, easily seen why Canadians and our brother Britons love their Union Jack. It is the signal of parliamentary government by British constitutional principles. It represents progress and modern ideas—the rule of the people, for the people, by the people, through their unbiased King; and, therefore, it is the evidence of their affectionate and loyal allegiance to that monarchy and system of government under whose benign sway the colonies have advanced, and Canada, above all other countries on the continent of America, is the land of the self-governed and the free.