What are the provincial symbols of Canada?

Each Canadian province and territory has its own official symbols, including a flag, coat of arms, motto, floral emblem, bird, animal, mineral, and tartan. These were adopted at different points from Confederation onwards, and many were updated in the centennial year of 1967 to provide a coherent set of regional emblems alongside the new national flag.

Provincial floral emblems include the white trillium for Ontario, the iris for Quebec, the prairie crocus for Manitoba, the western red lily for Saskatchewan, the wild rose for Alberta, the Pacific dogwood for British Columbia, the violet for New Brunswick, the mayflower for Nova Scotia, the lady's slipper for Prince Edward Island, the pitcher plant for Newfoundland and Labrador, the fireweed for Yukon, the mountain avens for the Northwest Territories, and the purple saxifrage for Nunavut. Provincial flags carry distinctive heraldic designs: the fleur-de-lys cross of Quebec (1948), the Union Jack and shield of Ontario, the Acadian-blue cross of New Brunswick, the Pacific Dogwood of British Columbia.

Provincial mottoes echo the same regional voice. Quebec's 'Je me souviens' ('I remember') is inscribed on its coat of arms and licence plates. Ontario's motto is 'Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet' ('Loyal she began, loyal she remains'). Alberta uses 'Fortis et Liber' ('Strong and Free'). British Columbia's motto is 'Splendor Sine Occasu' ('Splendour without diminishment'). Nunavut uses Inuktitut: 'Nunavut sannginivut' ('Nunavut, our strength').

The Canadian Heraldic Authority registers provincial and territorial symbols and publishes a freely accessible Public Register. Many provinces also celebrate Heritage Day on the third Monday of February to mark their cultural and historic emblems.