Flag of Toronto
Encyclopedia
The original flag of Toronto
was designed by Rene De Santis, a 21-year-old George Brown College
student, and won in a 1974 competition held by the City of Toronto Flag Design Committee. After the city amalgamated in 1997, the City Council looked for new designs from the public, but did not approve of any. De Santis suggested minor modifications to the original flag, which was adopted in October 1999, to create the current flag.
The flag displays the twin towers of the Toronto City Hall
on a blue background, with the red maple leaf
of the Flag of Canada
at its base, representing the Council Chamber at the base of the towers. The shape of the space above and between the towers suggests the letter 'T', the city's initial. The current flag received criticism when it was unveiled, particularly from those who commented that, when turned 180-degrees, the flag looks like a pair of legs with a leaf covering the crotch.
A variation of this flag is used by Toronto Fire Services
fireboat William Lyon Mackenzie. The marine Ensign
consists of the main city flag in the upper canton with a life preserver on two tone blue background.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
was designed by Rene De Santis, a 21-year-old George Brown College
George Brown College
George Brown College is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario...
student, and won in a 1974 competition held by the City of Toronto Flag Design Committee. After the city amalgamated in 1997, the City Council looked for new designs from the public, but did not approve of any. De Santis suggested minor modifications to the original flag, which was adopted in October 1999, to create the current flag.
The flag displays the twin towers of the Toronto City Hall
Toronto City Hall
The City Hall of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is the home of the city's municipal government and one of its most distinctive landmarks. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell and landscape architect Richard Strong, and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel, the building opened in 1965...
on a blue background, with the red maple leaf
Maple leaf
The maple leaf is the characteristic leaf of the maple tree, and is the most widely recognized national symbol of Canada.-Use in Canada:At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the settlements of New France had attained a population of about 18,000...
of the Flag of Canada
Flag of Canada
The national flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and , is a red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a stylized 11-pointed red maple leaf. Its adoption in 1965 marked the first time a national flag had been officially adopted in Canada to replace the Union Flag...
at its base, representing the Council Chamber at the base of the towers. The shape of the space above and between the towers suggests the letter 'T', the city's initial. The current flag received criticism when it was unveiled, particularly from those who commented that, when turned 180-degrees, the flag looks like a pair of legs with a leaf covering the crotch.
A variation of this flag is used by Toronto Fire Services
Toronto Fire Services
The Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
fireboat William Lyon Mackenzie. The marine Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
consists of the main city flag in the upper canton with a life preserver on two tone blue background.
External links
- City of Toronto flag at Toronto.ca official website