Canadian Symbols
Canada has many important symbols — objects, events and people that have special meaning and express our national identity.
The Canadian Crown and flag
The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for 400 years. Canada has been a constitutional monarchy since Confederation in 1867. A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. The red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston, founded in 1876. Red and white had been colours of France and England since the Middle Ages and the national colours of Canada since 1921. The Union Jack is our official Royal Flag.
The maple leaf, coat of arms and motto
The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol. Maple leaves were adopted as a symbol by French Canadians in the 1700s and have appeared on Canadian uniforms and insignia since the 1850s. Canada's national motto is A mari usque ad mare — Latin for 'from sea to sea.' The coat of arms contains symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland as well as red maple leaves.
Parliament buildings and Peace Tower
The Parliament Buildings embody the French, English and Aboriginal traditions. The Centre Block was destroyed by fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1922. The Library is the only part of the original building remaining. The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War. The Memorial Chamber within the Tower contains the Books of Remembrance in which are written the names of soldiers, sailors and airmen who died serving Canada.
Sports and the beaver
Hockey is Canada's most popular spectator sport and the national winter sport — developed in Canada in the 1800s. The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy, donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892. Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginals, is the official summer sport. The beaver was adopted as a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company — it appears on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montreal and Toronto.
National anthem and honours
O Canada was proclaimed the national anthem in 1980; it was first sung in Quebec City in 1880. The Royal Anthem is God Save the Queen (or King). The Order of Canada was started in 1967, the centennial of Confederation. The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour — awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy. It has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854.
Currency and notable Canadians on bills
Canada's currency features distinguished Canadians and national symbols. The $5 bill features Sir Wilfrid Laurier (first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation). The $10 bill features Sir John A. Macdonald (Canada's first Prime Minister). The $20 bill features the reigning Sovereign. The $50 bill features William Lyon Mackenzie King (longest-serving Prime Minister). The $100 bill features Sir Robert Borden (PM during WWI). The five-cent coin (nickel) features the beaver — Canada's national animal and a symbol of industry. The 25-cent coin (quarter) features the caribou. Canadian paper currency has featured Viola Desmond, a Black Canadian woman who challenged racial segregation in Nova Scotia, on the new $10 bill.
National public holidays
New Year's Day — January 1; Sir John A. Macdonald Day — January 11; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Vimy Day — April 9; Victoria Day — Monday preceding May 25; Fête nationale (Quebec) — June 24; Canada Day — July 1; Labour Day — first Monday of September; Thanksgiving Day — second Monday of October; Remembrance Day — November 11; Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day — November 20; Christmas Day — December 25; Boxing Day — December 26.
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Key Facts
- •The Canadian flag was first raised in 1965 — red and white have been national colours since 1921
- •The Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag
- •O Canada became the official national anthem in 1980 — first sung in Quebec City in 1880
- •The national motto is 'A mari usque ad mare' — from sea to sea
- •Lacrosse (summer) and ice hockey (winter) are Canada's official sports
- •The Stanley Cup was donated by Governor General Lord Stanley in 1892
- •The beaver appears on the five-cent coin
- •The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War
- •The Order of Canada was started in 1967 — the centennial of Confederation
- •The V.C. is Canada's highest honour — awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854
- •Remembrance Day is November 11 — moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month