Discover Canada VideoBook
Chapter 8: Canadian Symbols

Chapter 8 of the Discover Canada VideoBook introduces key Canadian symbols that appear throughout the citizenship test. This Canadian Citizenship Test prep chapter covers the Crown, flags, the maple leaf and fleur-de-lys, the coat of arms and motto, Parliament buildings, official languages, national sports, and important anthems and honours.

Chapter Summary

Canada has many important symbols - objects, events, and people that express national identity and help explain what it means to be Canadian. The Canadian Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for centuries and represents government institutions such as Parliament, legislatures, courts, police services, and the Canadian Forces.

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This chapter explains Canadian flags and national colours. Canada adopted a new national flag in 1965, using a red-white-red pattern connected to the Royal Military College in Kingston. Red and white have been Canada’s national colours since 1921. The Union Jack is Canada’s official Royal Flag, and the Canadian Red Ensign served as a national flag for about 100 years. Provinces and territories also have flags representing their traditions.

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You’ll learn about major national symbols including the maple leaf, used by French Canadians since the 1700s and found on uniforms and memorials, and the fleur-de-lys, a long-standing symbol of French royalty and New France. Canada’s coat of arms and national motto - A mari usque ad mare (“from sea to sea”) - reflect national heritage and appear on government documents and currency.

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The chapter also describes the symbolic importance of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, including the Peace Tower and Books of Remembrance. It highlights popular sports, including hockey (national winter sport), lacrosse (official summer sport), curling, soccer, and Canadian football, along with famous trophies like the Stanley Cup.

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Finally, you’ll review Canada’s official languages (English and French), Canada’s national anthem (O Canada), the Royal Anthem (God Save the King/Queen), and Canada’s honours system including the Order of Canada and the Victoria Cross, the highest honour for military valour. The chapter also lists important public holidays and key dates commonly seen on the citizenship test.

Key Points to Remember

• Canadian symbols help express national identity and citizenship.

• The Crown symbolizes the Canadian state and key institutions of government.

• Canada’s current flag was first raised in 1965.

• Red and white have been national colours since 1921.

• The Union Jack is Canada’s official Royal Flag; the Red Ensign was used for about 100 years.

• The maple leaf is Canada’s best-known symbol.

• The national motto is A mari usque ad mare (“from sea to sea”).

• The Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower are major national symbols.

• Hockey is the national winter sport; lacrosse is the official summer sport.

• English and French are Canada’s official languages (Official Languages Act, 1969).

• O Canada became the national anthem in 1980.

• The Victoria Cross is the highest Canadian honour for military bravery.

Citizenship Test Focus