Lieutenant Governor of Quebec

Feb 6

The flag of the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec is a distinctive emblem that encapsulates the province's unique cultural heritage and its constitutional role within Canada. Unlike the standardized designs adopted by most Canadian provinces in the 1980s, Quebec's lieutenant governor's flag retains a singular design that reflects its historical and cultural identity.

Adopted in 1952, the flag features a royal blue field with a central white disc bearing the shield and motto of Quebec's provincial coat of arms. This design choice sets it apart from the common template used by other provinces, which typically includes the provincial shield encircled by ten gold maple leaves and surmounted by the St. Edward's Crown on a blue background. Quebec's flag, however, showcases the shield directly on the white disc without additional embellishments, emphasizing its distinctiveness.

The shield itself is rich in symbolism. It features three gold fleurs-de-lis on a blue field at the top, representing the province's French heritage and its historical ties to royal France. The central section displays a gold lion passant on a red field, symbolizing the British Crown and Quebec's integration into the British constitutional framework. The bottom section contains three green maple leaves on a gold background, reflecting Canada's national emblem and the province's place within the Canadian federation. Beneath the shield is the motto "Je me souviens" ("I remember"), a phrase that underscores the importance of memory and heritage in Quebec's identity.

The flag's design is not merely aesthetic but also functional, serving to denote the presence of the lieutenant governor at official events and residences within Quebec. It is flown on buildings and vehicles to signify the lieutenant governor's presence, adhering to specific protocols that reflect the dignity of the office. Notably, the flag is never flown inside churches or lowered to half-mast, even during periods of mourning, to maintain the continuous representation of the Crown.

Historically, the flag has undergone several transformations. Prior to 1952, the lieutenant governor's flag was a defaced Union Jack featuring the provincial arms. In 1939, the arms were revised to include the current arrangement of symbols, but due to heraldic disputes, the use of the Union Jack was discontinued in 1940. The Canadian Red Ensign was briefly used until the adoption of the current design in 1952.