Quebec (QC) - Facts, Flags and Symbols

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Capital:

Quebec City

Population (2010 estimate): ^[i]

7,870,026

Motto on Licence Plate:

Je me souviens

Flag: ^[ii]

Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, January 21, 1948
Flag raised, January 21, 1948
Act of Legislature assented to, March 9, 1950

Arms: ^[iii]

Royal Warrant of Queen Victoria, May 26, 1868
Gazetted, November 16, 1869
Revised by Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, December 9, 1939

Date Entered Confederation: ^[iv]

The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in March 1867. “Canada”—comprising Canada East and Canada West, now known as Quebec and Ontario, respectively—New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were brought together under one constitution.

Flower:

Blue Flag

The blue flag (iris versicolor) is the floral emblem of Quebec, as per the Flag and Emblems of Quebec Act assented to on November 5, 1999.

Bird:

Snowy Owl

The National Assembly adopted the snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca) as Quebec’s official bird in 1987. Unlike other owls, the snowy owl isn’t exclusively nocturnal. It hunts both day and night, surviving mainly on lemmings. Quebec decided to select the snowy owl as a symbol of the province’s support for wildlife protection.

Tree:

Yellow Birch

The yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) has played a vital role in the furniture industry of Quebec since the early days of colonization. It is found in abundance throughout the southern regions of the province and is admired for its beauty and functionality.

Footnotes

1. [i] Statistics Canada - Quarterly demographic estimates, 2010
   http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100325/t100325a2-eng.htm
   [back to note i]
2. [ii] Canadian Heritage - Canadian Anthems and Symbols
   http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1266258105305/1266214672512
   [back to note ii]
3. [iii] Canadian Heritage - Canadian Anthems and Symbols
   http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1266258105305/1266214672512
   [back to note iii]
4. [iv] Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Confederation
   http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation/index-e.html
   [back to note iv]