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Since the Centennial Flame was first lit at Parliament Hill on New Year’s Day in 1967 to mark the 100th anniversary of Confederation, it has been in danger of being unceremoniously snuffed out.

The flame and its fountain, surrounded by the protective shields of Canada’s provinces and territories and guarded by the Peace Tower, was only meant to be a year-long installation. Yet Canadians loved this symbol of unity so much that the federal government of the day decided to make it permanent.

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Last year, the 50-year-old monument underwent an $845,000 taxpayer-funded makeover to include the Nunavut territorial coat of arms, and the flame was re-lit during the Canada 150 celebrations. Five months later, however, the flame now seems like a candle on a cake at a party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would rather not attend.

A new study being launched by Public Services and Procurement Canada, called “Greening of the Centennial Flame,” is looking at extinguishing the torch and replacing it with more eco-friendly LEDs in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.