Dartmouth flag shop sees surge in customers as Maple Leaf celebrates 60 years

The Canadian and Nova Scotia flags are pictured hanging side-by-side on the wall of the Flag Shop in Dartmouth, N.S.

The Flag Shop in Dartmouth, N.S., is seeing an unusual spike in customers this week as Canadians mark the 60th anniversary of the national flag.

Carole Aylard works at the Flag Shop. She said there’s been a surge in Canadian pride to coincide with the anniversary

“Everybody is wanting to support the country and that has been the most fun because they’re coming in with joy for being able to fly their flags,” said Aylard. She said The Flag Shop is busier than normal and she believes it’s because President Donald Trump keeps referring to Canada as the 51st state.

“What our neighbours down south are saying is galvanizing people to say ‘not on our watch,” said Aylard. “It’s not going to happen. We are proud Canadians.”

One customer, Jeffrey Doucet said the flag is more than a piece of fabric because it represents Canadian values.

“It’s not the respect of Canadians for their might [but] it’s the respect that they show Canadians for the strength and power that they have in what they do for each and every country,” said Doucet.

Mariya Maksymiv, another flag shop employee, said the flag carries personal significance for her since she emigrated from Ukraine in 2010.

“The flag represents everybody here and everybody who lives here,” said Maksymiv. “It’s something we can all share as a country and it represents the country itself.”

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