The Emblems of Canada
Canada – The Name
In 1535, explorer Jacques Cartier heard the
word “kanata”.
 It was used to refer to the site of present day
Quebec City. (Stadacona)
 “Kanata” was the Huron-Iroquois word for
“village” or “settlement”.
 Later, the name “Canada” referred to the large
area north of the St. Lawrence River.
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As more land was explored, “Canada” grew.
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The first time “Canada” was used as an official
name was in 1791 and referred to the colonies
of Upper and Lower Canada.
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In 1867, at the time of Confederation, our
became officially known as Canada.
The Flag of Canada
Red and White are Canada’s official
colours.
 The current flag first flew on February
15th, 1965.
 There was much debate about what the
flag should look like.
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Flag Etiquette
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The national flag of Canada should always fly
alone on its own mask or flagpole.
The dimensions/proportions of the flag are not
to be modified.
The flag can be flown at night without
illumination.
The flag should not be written on or covered by
other objects.
When the flag is raised or lowered, all present
should face the flag and remain silent. Men
should remove their hats.
The Maple Leaf
It is believed that the maple leaf served as
a symbol of Canada as early as 1700.
 In 1867 Canada’s confederation song was
called The Maple Leaf Forever and was
written by Alexander Muir.
 The anthem O Canada was written by
Calixa Lavallee and was first played in 1880
in Quebec.
 The first English version of the song was
accepted in 1908. (Robert Stanley Weir)
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The Coat of Arms created for Ontario and
Quebec both included the maple leaf.
 It appears on the penny, the Coat of Arms
of Canada, and on the flag.
 The red maple leaf is recognized around
the world a a symbol of Canada.
 Native people made syrup and sugar from
the sap of the maple tree.
 In 1996, the maple tree was officially
recognized as a national emblem.
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The Coat of Arms
Early settlers are represented by the the three
royal lions of England, the royal lion of Scotland,
the harp of Ireland, and the fleur-de-lis of
France.
 The lion of England holds the British flag.
 The unicorn of Scotland holds the flag of Royal
France.
 The bottom has the fleur-de-lis (France), the
shamrock (Ireland), the thistle (Scotland), and
the rose (England)
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The Beaver
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The beaver is a symbol of the fur trade.
Beaver pelts were needed for fur hats in Europe.
English and French fur traders trapped many
beavers
There were an est. 6 million before the fur trade
and it became in danger of being wiped out.
The beaver is featured on a postage stamp from
1851.
The beaver became an official emblem in 1975
It is on the Coat of Arms for Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
It’s also on the nickel.
References and Links
http://www.telegraphe.com/quebec/affiches/histoire.gif
 http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targ
ets/maps/mhi/T012891A.gif
 http://www3.sympatico.ca/goweezer/canada/canpics/cre
stOnt.jpg
 http://www3.sympatico.ca/goweezer/canada/canpics/cre
stQue.jpg
 http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/canadacoatofarms.gif
 http://members.shaw.ca/kcic1/beaver/3pence.jpg
 http://www3.sympatico.ca/goweezer/canada/canpics/cre
stMan.jpg
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