The Canadian flag is not a "bog standard three stripes" design. It even introduced a new vexillological term; the Canadian pale.
I don't understand why you think the maple leaf, a symbol which has been associated with Canada ever since there was a "Canada" to speak of, is "cringe".
The Canadian flag is a vexillological masterpiece and I will die on this hill. I wouldn't bother dying for my country, but I would for its flag. It's instantly recognizable, simple yet symbolic, and honestly such a massive glow-up from the previous Red Ensign flag.
You want to see a cringe flag? Look at this atrocity:
I agree that Argentina could be improved. Maybe make it five stripes instead of three? Just add a bar of white at the top and also the bottom. The red symbol in the middle is great, but maybe we need more than one, let's make it four in a horizontal row. Since there are more now they've got a be a little smaller and therefore also simpler, something recognizable but cool like a brewer's star.
Oops, just made the Chicago flag again. Unbeatable.