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Canada has many official symbols and even more unofficial symbols. Symbology is an important part of Canadian identity and
separates us from the other great nations of the world.
Great Seal
Canada’s current seal dates back to Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada’s first years in power.
It bares Queen Elizabeth sitting on the coronation chair, in her robes, holding the orb and sceptre. Her successor shall have
a new seal created.
The seal was made by the Royal Canadian mint out of specially tempered steel with a weight of 3.75 kgs. Although previous
seals were inscribed in Latin the current on has all inscriptions in both of Canada’s official languages, French
and English.
The Seal is used on all state documents such as proclamations and commissions of cabinet ministers, senators, judges and
senior government officials.
 Beaver
Fashion demanded beaver pelts for fur hat in the late 1600s and early 1700s and where else but Canada would the European
explorers go to acquire these pelts.
The fur trade help create Canada and the beaver began to find its way into Canadian symbols. Sir William Alexander who
granted title to Nova Scotia in 1621 was the first to include the beaver in a coat of arms. In 1678 the Hudson’s
Bay Company honoured this creature that provided them with so much wealth by putting it on the shield of their coat of arms.
In 1833 when the city of Montreal was incorporated as a city the beaver was included in the armorial bearings. The beaver
was featured on the first Canadian postage stamp in 1851 and was promised the position as a national symbol.
On march 24 1975 the beaver officially became an emblem of Canada when an act received royal assent and recognized the
beaver as a symbol of Canada.
 Canadian Flag
The most important and widely recognized symbol of Canada is our current flag. A design bearing a maple leaf on a white
background and two red bars on the right and left sides.
In 1925 a search for a new Canadian flag began. A committee of the Privy Council began to research possible designs for
a national flag; unfortunately their work was never completed. In 1946 a parliamentary committee was appointed with the same
job to do. It received over 2600 designs but the parliament of Canada was still never called upon the vote on a design. Once
again a senate and House of Commons committee was formed, this time by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson who wished to adopt
an original national flag for the approaching 1967 centennial celebration of confederation. Again the committee received thousands
of flag designs from thousands of Canadians.
This time most of the proposals were eliminated leaving only three. A Red Ensign with the fleur-de-lis and the Union Jack,
a design incorporating three red maple leaves, and a red flag with a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white square where
the possibilities. Finally after many debates the single leafed design was recommended and was approved by the House of Commons
on December 15, 1964, then the senate on December 17, 1964. Finally almost 100 years after the dominion of Canada was created
the Queen proclaimed that the single leaf design was to be the national flag of Canada and would take effect on February 15,
1965.
 Official Canadian sports.
The official Canadian sports although are in fact symbols the represent Canada very well. With out a doubt hockey is seen,
as truly Canadian and we are known worldwide for our hockey. It is well known that hockey is our official sport but what about
lacrosse. Lacrosse had been our unofficial sport since before confederation as the Algonquian native peoples originally played
it.
On May 12 1994 Canada’s National Sports Act became Law. Originally it only declared hockey as Canada’s
National Sport but some wanted to see lacrosse included because of its traditional and cultural significance. Bill C-212 was
amended to recognize both sports, it read that hockey was Canada's National Winter Sport and lacrosse was Canada's National
Summer Sport.
Official Provincial Symbols
Alberta
Capital: Edmonton
Official flower: Wild rose
Official bird: Great horned owl
Official animal: Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
Official tree: Lodgepole Pine
British Columbia
Capital: Victoria
Official flower: Pacific dogwood
Official bird: Steller's Jay
Official gemstone: Jade
Official tree: Western Red Cedar
Manitoba
Capital: Winnipeg.
Official flower: Prairie crocus (also called the Pasque flower)
Official bird: Great Gray Owl
Official tree: White Spruce
New Brunswick
Capital: Fredericton
Official flower: Purple violet
Official bird: Black-capped Chickadee
Official tree: Balsam Fir
Newfoundland and Labrador
Capital: St.John's
Official flower: Pitcher plant
Official bird: Atlantic Puffin
Official tree: Black Spruce
Northwest Territories
Capital: Yellowknife
Official flower: Mountain avens
Official bird: Gyrfalcon
Official tree: Jack Pine
Yukon Territory
Capital: Whitehorse
Official flower: Fireweed
Official bird: Common Raven
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Arms Of Canada
During the age after confederation the royal arms of the United kingdom was freely used to identify the offices of the
government of Canada and questions about a Canadian coat of arms received little attention.
On may 26 1868 a design that displayed the arms of the original four provinces of the new federation (Ontario, Quebec,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) was approved by a royal warrant for the required great seal. This design soon became recognized
as the Arms of Canada and was never actually used as the great seal.
A problem soon arose when new provinces attempted to add their arms to the federal composite design. The result was a
crowded arm with a confused appearance. To solve this problem the Canadian government submitted a request for a grant of arms.
November 21, 1921 the arms was assigned to Canada in the proclamations of His Majesty King George V.
The shield displays the arms of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, the nation's founding races. A sprig of three
maple leaves underneath indicates the new nation. The crest and the supporters are similar to the royal arms of Great Britain.
The motto "A mari usque ad mare" ("From sea to sea") is a quotation from the Bible and is well suited
to a nation that extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
 Maple Leaf
This well known Canadian symbols and according to many historians has served as such since as early as 1700. The popularity
of the maple leaf began in the early 18 hundreds.
In 1834 a St. Baptist Society made the maple leaf its emblem it was the first in North America. In 1848 it was referred
to as the Chosen Emblem of Canada by the Toronto literary annual, The Maple Leaf. By 1860 it had been incorporated into the
badge of the 100th Regiment. The visit from the prince of whales was also fabulously decorated with the maple leaf. In 1867,
The Maple leaf forever was written as Canada’s confederation song and was used for several decades. In the next
year both Ontario’s and Quebec’s coat of arms included the maple leaf.
From 1876 to 1901 the maple leaf could be found on all Canadian coins. Today the only Penney has the image of two maple
leafs, a design that has gone virtually unchanged for 68 years. The maple leaf is most recognizably found on the Canadian
flag an effectively represents Canada.
 Canada Word mark
Canada is spelled out with a stylized Canadian flag over the last "a" and this makes up the federal governments
word mark. The word mark combines theses two components to create an effective symbol that will be recognized and respected.
The symbol can be found almost everywhere we look, on federal office buildings, warehouses, wharves, books, hockey arenas,
federal vehicles, federal websites, television screens, movie screens and even on the Canada Arm.
 Canadian Horse
On April 30 2002 a bill was proclaimed into law that made the Canadian horse an official symbol of Canada. There were
many reasons for making the Canadian horse a Canadian symbol as found in the official debates of the House of Commons when
attempting to pass the bill.
"The ancestors of the current Canadian horse came from France with the early French settlers. They were introduced
to Canada between 1647 and 1670 by Louis XIV who sent roughly 30 horses from his own stables in Normandy and Brittany. There
was no standard Norman or Breton breeds in the 17th century. As a result, the Canadian Horse can trace its ancestry back to
several breeds, including the Andalusian, the Arabian and the Percheron horses. Canadian horses were indispensable to the
settlers in New France. They helped clear, plough and cultivate the soil. They made roads. They transported people and goods.
They carried children to school and doctors to the sick and dying. They provided entertainment in the form of horse racing.
Indeed they were the foundation of the economic well being of New France. The Canadian horse is a perfect symbol for Canada.
It has those traits that we, as Canadians, value. I am talking about all Canadians. The Canadian horse is strong for its size.
It is both persistent and resilient. It is an intelligent and well-tempered Horse. The Canadian horse has a long life. Like
this country itself, Canadian horses are very peaceful. From the time of ancient Greece, the horse has been an emblem signifying
strength and courage. The Canadian Horse is one of the world's strongest and most courageous breeds. For this reason, it is
the perfect emblem for Canada."
Maple Tree
On April 25 1996 the maple tree was officially declared a national arboreal symbol of Canada. Until then only the maple
leaf was recognized around the world as a symbol of Canada. Canadian Requested that the government select the maple tree as
Canada’s arboreal emblem and now it is used when promoting Canada as a leader in sustainable forest management.
Nova Scotia
Capital: Halifax
Official flower: Mayflower (also called trailing arbutus)
Official bird: Osprey
Official tree: Red spruce
Nunavut
Capital: Iqaluit
Official flower: Arctic poppy (has been nominated as the official flower)
Ontario
Capital: Toronto
Official flower: White trillium
Official bird: Common Loon
Official tree: White Pine
Prince Edward Island
Capital: Charlottetown
Official flower: Lady's slipper
Official bird: Blue Jay
Official tree: Red Oak
Quebec
Capital: Quebec City
Official flower: Iris versicolor (Iris versicolor Linné)
Official bird: Snowy owl
Official tree: Yellow Birch
Saskatchewan
Capital: Regina
Official flower: Western red (Prairie) lily
Official bird: Sharp-tailed Grouse
Official tree: White birch
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