On February 15, 1965, our national flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. Five flags fly on the Hill: one over the Peace Tower, one on each side of the Centre Block, one over the West Block and one over the East Block.

The flag master

Every weekday, the designated flag master changes the Peace Tower flag, except on statutory holidays and during poor weather conditions. The flag is also changed for half-masting. The other Parliament Hill flags are changed weekly and on days that they are at half-mast.

To replace the Peace Tower flag, the flag master folds and places a new flag in a satchel, takes the elevator to the observation deck, and climbs 33 metres of stairs and ladders. Once at the top, the flag master lowers the flying flag and raises the new one on the 10.7-metre flagpole. Throughout the 20 to 30 minute process, the flag is never to touch the ground.