Prince Edward Island (PE) - Facts, Flags and Symbols

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Capital:

Charlottetown

Population (2010 estimate): ^[i]

141,232

Motto on Licence Plate:

Canada’s Green Province

Flag: ^[ii]

Royal Warrant of King Edward VII, May 30, 1905, assigning arms and banner
Act of Legislature assented to, March 24, 1964

Arms: ^[iii]

Royal Warrant of King Edward VII, May 30, 1905
Gazetted, September 23, 1905

Augmented by crest and supporters by Vice-Regal Warrant of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, April 26, 2002

Gazetted, December 20, 2003

Date Entered Confederation: ^[iv]

Prince Edward Island joined Confederation on July 1, 1873. Despite their long resistance to union, many Islanders celebrated the day. Buildings throughout Charlottetown were decorated with flags, bunting and streamers; even the ships in the harbour were festooned with ribbons.

Flower:

Lady’s Slipper

Prince Edward Island designated the lady’s slipper as the province’s floral emblem in 1947. A more precise botanical name, Cypripedium acaule, was included in an amendment to the Floral Emblems Act in 1965.

Bird:

Blue Jay

The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is found throughout P.E.I. The blue-hooded, black-winged bird was officially adopted as the provincial bird in 1977 following a province-wide vote. Found in P.E.I. year round, the blue jay prepares for winter by gathering and storing grains, seeds and suet.

Tree:

Red Oak

The red oak (Quercus rubra) was found throughout Prince Edward Island during the early years of European settlement. However, its fine-grained wood was highly sought after by furniture makers and they milled the tree to practical extinction on the Island. The province adopted the red oak as its official tree in 1905 and has since created the Royalty Oaks Natural Area in Charlottetown as a reserve for these majestic trees.

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]