On second thought, I wonder whether it would not have been better to choose a flag retaining more of the existing symbols of the country and its people. The red ensign was plainly a nonstarter, but why not have a flag including at least the shield portion of the coat of arms shown below:
This incorporates the symbols of England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Canada itself. To be sure, the inclusion of the fleur-de-lys in this ancient crest originally reflected the English king's claim to be king of France (as if the Hundred Years' War had not ended), but it might just as well do double duty in representing Canada's origins as Nouvelle France. Our flag might thus have resembled the Queen's personal Canadian standard, minus, of course, the embellished "E" in the centre:
Canadian Heritage