Canadian Symbols

Symbols and holidays are part of what Canadians share. You’ll learn about the objects, events and people with special meaning for Canadians: the Crown, the flags, the maple leaf, the anthems, sports, honours and national holidays.

The Canadian Crown

Canada has many symbols. They help explain what being Canadian means and show our national identity.

The Crown is one of the oldest. It is a symbol of the state and of government. Canada became a constitutional monarchy in its own right at Confederation in 1867.

Key points

  • The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years.
  • The Crown symbolizes government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces.
  • Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria’s reign.
  • Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital in 1857.
  • Queen Elizabeth II reigned from 1952 to 2022. Today the Sovereign is King Charles III.
  • Queen Elizabeth II marked her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as Sovereign) in 2012.

Practice questions: What does the Crown symbolize in Canada? · At Confederation in 1867, Canada became a constitutional monarchy in its own right during whose reign? · For how many years has the Crown been a symbol of the state in Canada?

Flags and national colours

A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. The Canadian Red Ensign served as the Canadian flag for about 100 years.

The Union Jack is the official Royal Flag, and the provinces and territories also have their own flags.

Key points

  • The new Canadian flag was first raised in 1965.
  • Its red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston, founded in 1876.
  • Red and white had been colours of France and England since the Middle Ages.
  • Red and white have been Canada’s national colours since 1921, when King George V assigned them.
  • The Union Jack is Canada’s official Royal Flag.
  • The Canadian Red Ensign served as Canada’s flag for about 100 years. Veterans have carried it officially since 2005.
  • The fleur-de-lys was included in the Canadian Red Ensign.
  • Provinces and territories have their own flags that reflect their traditions.

Practice questions: In which year was Canada’s new red-and-white flag raised for the first time? · Who assigned red and white as Canada’s national colours in 1921? · Which flag is Canada’s official Royal Flag? · The red-white-red pattern of the Canadian flag comes from the flag of which institution? · Which flag served as Canada’s flag for about 100 years before the maple leaf flag? · What are Canada’s official national colours?

The maple leaf and the fleur-de-lys

The maple leaf is the symbol most people link with Canada. It has a long history with French-Canadians, the military and the memory of fallen soldiers.

The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty, including in New France. Quebec’s own flag is based on the Cross and the fleur-de-lys.

Key points

  • The maple leaf is Canada’s best-known symbol.
  • French-Canadians adopted the maple leaf as a symbol in the 1700s.
  • Maple leaves have appeared on Canadian uniforms and insignia since the 1850s.
  • Maple leaves are carved into the headstones of fallen soldiers buried in Canada and overseas.
  • “Fleur-de-lys” means “lily flower.” It is said the French king adopted it in the year 496.
  • The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty for more than 1,000 years, including in New France.
  • It was revived at Confederation and included in the Canadian Red Ensign.
  • In 1948 Quebec adopted its own flag, based on the Cross and the fleur-de-lys.

Practice questions: When was the maple leaf first adopted as a symbol by French-Canadians? · What symbol of French royalty appears on the flag of Quebec? · Since when has the maple leaf appeared on Canadian military uniforms and insignia? · What does “fleur-de-lys” mean in English? · In what year did Quebec adopt its own flag, based on a cross and the fleur-de-lys? · What is Canada’s best-known symbol? · Which symbol of French heritage was included in the Canadian Red Ensign from Confederation? · In what year is the fleur-de-lys said to have been adopted by the French king?

Coat of arms, motto and other emblems

After the First World War, Canada showed its national pride by adopting a coat of arms and a motto. The motto means “from sea to sea.”

Other emblems include the beaver, the Mounties and, for the North, the caribou.

Key points

  • Canada’s motto is A Mari Usque Ad Mare, Latin for “from sea to sea.”
  • The coat of arms and motto were adopted after the First World War.
  • The coat of arms has symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, plus red maple leaves.
  • The arms appear on dollar bills, government documents and public buildings.
  • The idea of “dominion from sea to sea” comes from Psalm 72. It inspired Sir Leonard Tilley to suggest the name Dominion of Canada in 1864.
  • The Hudson’s Bay Company adopted the beaver as its symbol centuries ago.
  • In 1834 the beaver became an emblem of the St. Jean Baptiste Society, a French-Canadian patriotic group.
  • The beaver is on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montreal and Toronto.
  • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP, “the Mounties”) are the national police force and one of Canada’s best-known symbols. They began as the North West Mounted Police in 1873.
  • The caribou (reindeer) is a symbol of Canada’s North.

Practice questions: What is Canada’s motto? · Which animal can be seen on Canada’s five-cent coin? · Which Canadian police force is also a well-known national symbol? · The Canadian coat of arms contains symbols of England, France, Scotland and which other country? · The beaver was adopted centuries ago as a symbol of which company? · Besides the five-cent coin, where else does the beaver appear? · Which animal is a symbol of Canada’s North?

The Parliament Buildings

The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa mix French, English and Aboriginal traditions in the Gothic Revival style of Queen Victoria’s time. An accidental fire destroyed the Centre Block in 1916.

The provincial legislatures are architectural treasures, built in several historic styles.

Key points

  • The Parliament Buildings were completed in the 1860s in the Gothic Revival style.
  • The Centre Block was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1922.
  • The Library is the only part of the original building still standing.
  • The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War.
  • The Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower holds the Books of Remembrance.
  • The Books of Remembrance list the soldiers, sailors and airmen who died serving Canada in wars or on duty.
  • Quebec’s National Assembly is in the French Second Empire style.
  • Other provincial legislatures are Baroque, Romanesque and neoclassical, reflecting the Greco-Roman heritage of Western civilization, where democracy began.

Practice questions: Which tower on Parliament Hill was built in memory of the First World War? · What is kept in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower? · What happened to the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in 1916? · Which is the only part of the original Parliament Buildings still standing? · In what architectural style is the Quebec National Assembly built? · In what year was the Peace Tower completed?

Official languages and anthems

English and French are Canada’s two official languages and important symbols of identity. Parliament passed the Official Languages Act in 1969.

Canada has a national anthem, “O Canada,” and a Royal Anthem that honours the Sovereign. English and French speakers sing different words to “O Canada.”

Key points

  • English speakers (Anglophones) and French speakers (Francophones) have lived together for more than 300 years.
  • To become a citizen you need adequate knowledge of English or French. Applicants aged 55 or over are exempt.
  • Parliament passed the Official Languages Act in 1969.
  • The Act has three main objectives: equality of French and English in Parliament, the Government of Canada and institutions under the Act; maintaining and developing official language minority communities; and promoting equality of French and English in Canadian society.
  • “O Canada” was first sung in Québec City in 1880 and proclaimed the national anthem in 1980.
  • English and French Canadians sing different words. English lyrics begin “O Canada! Our home and native land!” French lyrics begin “Ô Canada! Terre de nos aïeux.”
  • The Royal Anthem is “God Save the King” (“God Save the Queen” when the Sovereign is a queen). It can be played or sung whenever Canadians wish to honour the Sovereign.

Practice questions: In which year was “O Canada” proclaimed as the national anthem? · What is the Royal Anthem of Canada? · Do English and French speakers sing the same words to “O Canada”? · Where was “O Canada” first sung, in 1880?

Honours and the Victoria Cross

Honours are official awards for outstanding citizens: orders, decorations and medals. Canada used British honours for many years before creating its own system in 1967.

The Victoria Cross is the highest honour. It has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.

Key points

  • Canada started its own honours system with the Order of Canada in 1967, the centennial of Confederation. Before that, Canadians received British honours.
  • Any Canadian is welcome to nominate a fellow citizen for an honour.
  • The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour available to Canadians, for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
  • The V.C. has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.
  • First Canadian V.C.: then lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn, born in present-day Toronto, who served in the British Army in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava (1854) in the Crimean War.
  • First black man to receive the V.C.: Able Seaman William Hall of Horton, Nova Scotia, whose parents were American slaves, for the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
  • Corporal Filip Konowal, born in Ukraine, was the first member of the Canadian Corps born outside the British Empire to win the V.C., at Hill 70 in 1917.
  • Captain Billy Bishop of Owen Sound, Ontario, a flying ace, earned the V.C. in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. He was later an honorary Air Marshal of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
  • Captain Paul Triquet of Cabano, Quebec, earned the V.C. at Casa Berardi, Italy, in 1943. He later became a Brigadier.
  • Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a navy pilot born in Trail, B.C., was killed while bombing and sinking a Japanese warship in August 1945. He was the last Canadian to receive the V.C. to date.

Practice questions: What is the highest honour available to Canadians for bravery in the face of the enemy? · Who was the first Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross? · In which year was the Order of Canada established? · Before the Order of Canada was created in 1967, which honours did Canadians receive? · Who can nominate someone for a Canadian honour? · Who was the first black man to be awarded the Victoria Cross? · Who was the first member of the Canadian Corps born outside the British Empire to win the Victoria Cross? · According to Discover Canada, who was the last Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross? · Which captain earned the Victoria Cross in Italy in 1943 for leading an attack at Casa Berardi? · According to Discover Canada, about how many Canadians have been awarded the Victoria Cross since 1854?

Remembrance Day and the poppy

Every November 11, Canadians remember the veterans and the fallen of all wars up to the present day. The red poppy is the symbol of this day.

The First World War ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

Key points

  • Remembrance Day is November 11. The First World War ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.
  • Canadians wear the red poppy and keep a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
  • The poppy honours the over a million men and women who have served and the 110,000 who gave their lives.
  • Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer, wrote “In Flanders Fields” in 1915. It is often recited on Remembrance Day.
  • Vimy Day, April 9, remembers the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps in April 1917.

Practice questions: What do Canadians wear to honour veterans on Remembrance Day? · Who wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields”? · Which day of remembrance is observed on April 9? · When is Remembrance Day observed? · What is the meaning of the Remembrance Day poppy?

National holidays and important dates

The guide lists Canada’s national public holidays and other important dates. Some fall on a fixed date and some on a set Monday or Friday.

Key points

  • New Year’s Day: January 1. Sir John A. Macdonald Day: January 11, the birthday of the first Prime Minister.
  • Good Friday: the Friday just before Easter Sunday. Easter Monday: the Monday just after it.
  • Vimy Day: April 9.
  • Victoria Day: the Monday before May 25, the Sovereign’s birthday.
  • Fête nationale (Quebec): June 24, the Feast of St. John the Baptist.
  • Canada Day: July 1. The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867.
  • Labour Day: first Monday of September. Thanksgiving Day: second Monday of October.
  • Remembrance Day: November 11.
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day: November 20. Laurier was the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation.
  • Christmas Day: December 25. Boxing Day: December 26.

Practice questions: What does Victoria Day celebrate? · When is Canada Day celebrated? · On which date is the Fête nationale celebrated in Quebec? · When is Thanksgiving Day celebrated in Canada? · Which national commemorative day falls on January 11? · Which day, November 20, honours Canada’s first French-Canadian Prime Minister after Confederation? · When is Labour Day celebrated in Canada? · When is Good Friday? · On what date is Boxing Day? · When is Victoria Day? · On what date is Christmas Day?

These summaries were written by New Citizen and are based on Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). They are not official government text.