The house flag of Canadian National Steamships, St Johns, Newfoundland. A dark blue pennant with a white-bordered blue cross. A green yellow and red maple leaf is placed on a white disc in the centre. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached.

Canadian National Steamships began as part of the Canadian National Railway, which was established in 1919. During this year the Canadian parliament passed an act to incorporate the Canadian National Railway Company Limited, and a few years later the Canadian National Railway was fully in operation. In addition to a railway service, it operated a telegraph company, hotels and the steamship line. Canadian National Steamships operated routes to the ports of Halifax, Boston, the West Indies, Alaska and Australia. In 1936 its Australia routes were taken over by the Montreal, Australia and New Zealand (MANZ) Line. In 1958 the company discontinued its West Indies cargo and passenger services, and the ships used for this service were eventually sold to Cuba. The shipping division of Canadian National is still in business, now called CN Worldwide, and operates shipping and management services all over the world. (Research: Rebecca Hernandez)