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By Glen McGregor

OTTAWA—The Conservative government is continuing to indulge its enthusiasm for the monarchy by purchasing at least 500,000 hand-held flags for celebrations marking the Queen’s 60th year on the throne.

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The government on Friday tendered a contract to supply the flags printed with a coat of arms created for next year’s Diamond Jubilee. The price to taxpayers won’t be known until the winning bidder for the contract is selected.

The Department of Canadian Heritage said the small flags will be used to support Diamond Jubilee celebrations across the country.

“They will be made available to Canadian groups who will organize Diamond Jubilee events and for distribution to the public,” spokesman Pierre Manoni said in an email.

There is no indication that the Queen will visit Canada during the jubilee year. She ascended to throne Feb. 6, 1950, but Britons will celebrate on June 5.

The flags will be part of a broader effort that has already seen the federal government commission a new portrait of the Queen and the Canadian Forces create a Jubilee medal for members with five years of service. The Conservative government this year announced that it would add “Royal Canadian” to the names of the air force and navy. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also ordered that Canadian Embassies display pictures of the Queen.

Ottawa Citizen