The historic O Canada Recording Sessions Tour

In 2015 Rob Hanson, founder of Hometown Music,

travelled from coast to coast to coast to meet and talk with

over 28,000 young Canadians, celebrate the Flag of

Canada’s 50th Anniversary, promote the benefits of music

education and produce the largest recording of O Canada

in history.

This recording is a true national recording. It features the voices of children singing together from every province and territory of Canada. Available for everyone to download and share for free, we encourage schools, sports teams, broadcasters and all event organisers to play it with pride. Commemorative E-Book Hometown Proud - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Flag of Canada Learn about the Flag of Canada from Hometown experts. This book is a collection of art and thoughts of elementary school students from across Canada throughout 2015, in celebration and commemoration of the Flag of Canada’s 50th anniversary. The collection includes the largest recording of O Canada ever produced featuring 28,725 students from every province and territory of Canada.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage via the Celebration and Commemoration Program. Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada par l’entremise du ministère du Patrimoine canadien grâce au volet Programme des célébrations et commemorations.

The launch and national news conference

Thursday February 12th, 2015 Whitby Public Library

Department of Canadian Heritage

February 12, 2026 10:00 ET

An Investment Linked to the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada

Hometown Music Council receives $127,000 for its "Flag of Canada - Hometown Proud" program

WHITBY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 12, 2015) - Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada has awarded $127,000 to the Hometown Music Council in support of its project "Flag of Canada - Hometown Proud." The program involves

uniting the voices of more than 25,000 Canadian children and raising awareness of the flag's history.

Pat Perkins, Member of Parliament (Whitby-Oshawa), made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and

Official Languages.

Quick Facts

The funding will go toward developing a primary education program to educate students on the history of Canada's national flag and toward making a recording of "O

Canada." Around 25,000 students from 82 schools in 40 cities across Canada will participate in the recording and learn the history of one of Canada's greatest symbols.

The National Flag of Canada was officially adopted on February 15, 1965. Since then, it has become a powerful symbol of our great country and a source of

inspiration and pride for us all.

The Hometown Music Council is a not-for-profit organization made up of community members, music professionals and business leaders who are dedicated to culture

and promote music appreciation in Canada.

Quotes

"As we prepare to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, in 2017, celebrations like the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada demonstrate what we

have accomplished together. Several activities are specifically aimed at young people, because they are an important part of our lives and our society. They are our

future. Together with our children, we need to remember our past and look toward the future."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Activities like this help our young people to discover their history and to play an active role in celebrating the 50th birthday of Canada's flag. Our Government is proud

to be involved in such a project, which encourages Canadians, from coast to coast to coast, to express their pride in the flag in an original way."

-Pat Perkins, Member of Parliament (Whitby-Oshawa)

"We are excited to see the 'Flag of Canada - Hometown Proud' program, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the flag of Canada, come to life thanks to the support of

Canadian Heritage. We encourage students and their families from across the country to participate on the recording tour, tackle a project through the lesson plans and

post their art, poetry and pictures to the online galleries at www.flagofcanada.ca, creating a little bit of history for Canadians of all ages for generations to come."

-Rob Hanson, Executive Director, Hometown Music Council

Tweets by @Hometown_Canada

Thanks to our long time friends, Canadian iconic rock band Lighthouse, for coming out to perform One Fine Morning.

Thanks to Whitby Public Library for hosting our launch.

Thanks go to actress and country artist Kate Todd who performed at our launch - seen here singing happy birthday to the Flag of Canada with fans at a show later that year.

To share on your website copy and paste the following code.

/OCanada.zip

Please help yourself to a free copy of the book.

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