Emblems & Symbols

Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, 

Saskatchewan, Manitoba

Canada

National symbols

The Beaver

For European traders in the late 1600s,  the most important product from North America was beaver pelts. It was made the national emblem of Canada in 1975. 

 

In 2002, the Horse was made as the national breed of Canada.

The Maple Tree

The maple tree is probably Canada's most significant emblem of all as the maple leaf is displayed on our flag. It was not officially declared as the national until 1996.

There are no

NATIONAL GEMSTONES OR FLOWERS

PROVINCIAL

SYMBOLS

Provincial Animals

British Columbia Alberta
The Spirit Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei) was added as BC's official mammal in April 2006. The reason behind this is because BC has the largest concentrations of it, near the Central Coast and North Coast. 



 		 The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) was designated as the official mammal of Alberta in August 1989. It is a native Alberta animal and is shown that at some point, the biggest herds of these species roamed Alberta.








 

Provincial Animals

Saskatchewan Manitoba
The While-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), is one of the most popular game animals in Saskatchewan, making it an important livestock animal. It became the official provincial animal in 2001.



 		 Plains Bison (Bison bison bison) was added as the official animal in May 2014. Plains Bison has had a chronic history in Manitoba, providing the province with a unique livestock industry.










 

Provincial Flower

British Columbia Alberta
The Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), adopted in 1956. It is known for it's white blooms (April - May), red berries, and foliage in autumn.



 		 The Wild Rose (Rosa acicularis), adopted in 1930 is Alberta's provincial flower. It grows everywhere in Alberta and is native to the province. 










 

Provincial Flower

Saskatchewan Manitoba
The Western Red Lily (Lilium philadelphicum L. var. andinum) was chosen as the official flower of Saskatchewan in 1941 and is a protected species, meaning it cannot be picked, uprooted, or destroyed.


 		 Prairie Crocus (Pulsatilla ludoviciana) adopted in 1906, was actually chosen by schoolchildren. It is also highly toxic and has been used by Blackfoot Indians for centuries as a botanic drug. 










 

Provincial Gemstone

British Columbia Alberta
Jade, a well-known mineral, was made BC's official gemstone in 1968. It consists mostly of nephrite and is prized in BC and Asia in particular. 


 		 Petrified Wood, an extremely interesting stone, is Alberta's official gemstone (adopted in 1977). It forms when micro-quartz deposits itself in the pores of fallen trees 60-90 million years ago. 









 

Provincial Gemstone

Saskatchewan Manitoba
Sylvite (potassium chloride), commonly known as Potash, is the provincial gemstone of Saskatchewan. Similar to Manitoba's Prairie Crocus , Sylvite was chosen by the province's students in 1997.

 		 Nickel is Manitoba's unofficial mineral. Manitoba only recently released it's newer provincial symbols, but an official gemstone was not released. Nickel is heavily mined in Manitoba and is a major industry.









 

Provincial Tree

British Columbia Alberta
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), recognized in Feb 1988, played an important role in the lives of West Coast natives and is a key resource to BC currently. It can live for, sometimes, 1000 years.
 		 Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta variety latifolia), made official in May 1984, was used to make railway ties. It still plays a major role in Alberta's forestry industry as a key lumber resource.










 

Provincial Tree

Saskatchewan Manitoba
The official tree of Saskatchewan is the White Birch (Betula papyrifera) and was adopted in 1988. It is a frequently planted ornament tree and grows very fast.


 White Spruce (Picea glauca), with no introduction date, is Manitoba's official tree. It is used extensively in early and modern culture. It is beautiful and provides a high economic value.









 

Provinces

Fun Facts

British Columbia

  • The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, located on Vancouver Island.  
  • Forestry, tourism, mining and fishing are four main industries of British Columbia.
  • The terrain of BC is the most geographically diverse. To the east are Rocky Mountains and to the west are the Coastal Mountains, while in between are long reaching valleys, rivers, and countless lakes and streams.
  • There are more than 400 provincial parks/conservation areas in BC.
  • There are 131 ecological reserves in BC.
  • Vancouver is the largest city, also the financial centre of BC.

Alberta

  • Alberta is one of the three prairie provinces. 
  • Edmonton (capital city) and Calgary are the largest cities.
  • There are over 100 First Nation communities and 8 Métis settlements.
  • There are icefields in Banff and Jasper National Parks.
  • Northern Alberta is covered with forests and muskeg.
  • Freezing arctic air currents bring chilly weather in the winter. 
  • Alberta has 70% of Canada's coal reserves.
  • The mountain scenery of Banff and Jasper national parks attracts thousands of tourists. (including myself!)

Saskatchewan

  • Grows over 50% of Canada's wheat.
  • Is a world leader in Uranium production.
  • Is windy in both winter and summer.
  • The largest cities in Saskatchewan are Regina and Saskatoon (capital). 
  • Extremely rich in minerals (potash, uranium, coal, oil and natural gas)
  • Like Alberta, freezing arctic air currents bring chilly weather in the winter.
  • Athabasca Sand Dunes are the most northern sand dunes for it's size on Earth.

Manitoba

  • Located in the centre of Canada.
  • Manitoba is home to just 1.2 million people (2010 census)
  • Half of Manitoba's population lives in the capital, Winnipeg. 
  • The winter is freezing cold from winds from the Arctic Ocean.
  • Winnipeg has one of the coldest winters as a major city in Canada.
  • There are over 100,000 lakes in Manitoba.
  • Manitoba is located in the Canadian Shield.
  • 60% of Manitoba is covered with forest.

Citations

  •  "Horses - LIIIFE." LIIIFE. 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. <http://www.liiife.net/horses/>. 
  • "Beavers May Offer Environmental Second Chance | Toronto Star." Thestar.com. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "North American Beaver." Beaver Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. <http://www.pdza.org/beaver/>.
  • "The Comfort Maple – an Ancient and Amazing Grace." The Comfort Maple – an Ancient and Amazing Grace. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "Rocky Mt. Bighorn Sheep [Ovis Canadensis] | Barbara Magnuson & Larry Kimball." Rocky Mt. Bighorn Sheep [Ovis Canadensis] | Barbara Magnuson & Larry Kimball. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "Government of Alberta." Emblems of Alberta. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "Blaaargh." Web. 28 Nov. 2015.

Citations

  • "Symbols of British Columbia - Office of Protocol." Symbols of British Columbia - Office of Protocol. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "White-tailed Deer." State Animal. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "Manitoba Trade and Investment." Bison. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "PhotoBoom.ca." PhotoBoomca. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  • "Lodgepole Pine Lumber." Kalesnikoff Lumber. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. <http://www.kalesnikoff.com/products/species/lodgepole-pine/>.
  • Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbols_of_Manitoba>.
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