One supposes that it is imminently Canadian to continue to debate over their flag--it is after all only 43 years old. However, south of the border, our flag has been changed 26 times; the current 50-star version has been in effect since 1960, but none of the revisions (at least not since the Civil War) have prompted the hissing matches charactering Canadian flag flaps.
Within living memory Canadians have died for the "red ensign" as symbolic of Canada in two world wars and in Korea and now, in current memory, for the "maple leaf." Despite Quebec separatist comment, it is more than a "red rag" (just as the fleur d'Lis is more than a memorial to a dead monarchy). While presumably you can be passionately loyal and committed to your country and totally indifferent to your flag, such individuals are hard to locate. Essentially, it is easier to identify with a concrete symbol (such as a Roman legion's eagle or your regimental "colors") than an abstract representation such as a copy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Thus flags generate passions. To somewhat channel and regulate these emotions, in most nations there are specifically agreed, even elaborate protocols, over how and when its flag will be displayed, positioned, handled, maintained, and finally destroyed. And while the world characterizes (and more than occasionally sneers at) Americans as "flag wavers," the management of the U.S. flag is remarkably apolitical domestically.
The American flag can be flown every day, but the USG has designated 14 days, inter alia, Lincoln’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Veteran’s Day; and Thanksgiving Day for special display. It flies continuously at a number of locations, including the White House, the Iwo Jima memorial, and the moon landing sites of the Apollo space craft.
Separately, as a gesture of respect/mourning, the flag is flown at half staff. Federal guidelines order flag flying at half staff on five specific days including Memorial Day and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day--but not (yet) on 9/11. On the federal level, the president designates the action and the duration of mourning (up to 30 days for a deceased president); however, state governors also have authority to designate flying the flag at half staff. There is no prohibition against municipal governments, private businesses, or citizens flying the flag at half staff as a local sign of respect and mourning.
Thus an American regrets that a moment of personal tragedy--the death of a member of the Canadian Forces in service overseas--should become a domestic political football. Yes, the flag remains "symbolic"--but now it is symbolic of Canada's fractious disagreement over its commitment to Afghanistan. The aphorism is that one death is a tragedy and 1,000 deaths a statistic; since death is now delivered retail, we are free to agonize nationally over each one.
