Such a flag has been used by governors general since just after Canadian Confederation and the design has altered over decades.

Still, the composition was the same for all the governor general of the Dominions: a blue field containing, at the centre, the crest of the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom above a scroll bearing the country's name.

The current flag was first introduced in 1981 and comprises the crest of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada—a crowned lion holding a red maple leaf in its paw, standing on a wreath of red and white (Canada's official colours)—on a blue background.

While Roméo LeBlanc served as governor general, between 1995 and 1999, the flag was modified at his direction so that the lion's tongue and claws were removed, making the animal appear more "Canadian" in LeBlanc's opinion.

The flag is protected under the Trade-Marks Act; Section 9(c) states, "No person shall adopt in connection with a business, as a trade-mark or otherwise, any mark consisting of, or so nearly resembling as to be likely to be mistaken for [...] the standard, arms, or crest of His Excellency the Governor General.