Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Jun 5

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has a new municipal flag that reflects the city’s deep history, geographical significance, and strong connection to Canada. The design incorporates elements from the city’s past while embracing a modern aesthetic, making it a meaningful emblem for residents and visitors alike. Though it retains a connection to previous flags, such as the one used during the city’s centennial celebrations in 2012, the new flag introduces a more sophisticated visual identity that highlights the unique character of Sault Ste. Marie.

The new flag features a dark blue field with wavy edges at the top and bottom, suggesting the motion of a waving flag. At the centre is a circular emblem containing stylized representations of two hills, a maple leaf, and two large wavy shapes at the bottom. While the emblem itself is enclosed within a disc, both the maple leaf and the waves extend beyond the boundary at the fly side, creating a dynamic and fluid effect. This break from traditional rigid designs gives the flag a sense of movement and energy, reflecting the city's role as a gateway between the Great Lakes and the broader Canadian landscape.

A notable aspect of the flag’s design is its use of gradients instead of solid colours. The sky transitions from pale bluish-green to pale greenish-yellow, while the iconic maple leaf—styled similarly to the national flag’s version—shifts from golden yellow to a reddish-orange hue. The two waves at the bottom also feature a gradient, with the upper wave moving from petrol blue to bluish teal. A thick contour line, separating all elements, further enhances the design with its gradient from dark brownish-green to golden tones. These colour transitions give the flag a vibrant and contemporary appearance, distinguishing it from the flat, single-tone designs of many traditional flags.

Every element of the flag represents key aspects of Sault Ste. Marie’s identity. The hills symbolize the city’s natural geography, as it is nestled between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, with the rugged Canadian Shield as a backdrop. The large maple leaf at the centre emphasizes Sault Ste. Marie’s strong national ties and its historical significance as one of Canada’s oldest settlements. Meanwhile, the wavy shapes at the bottom symbolize the surrounding waterways, particularly the St. Marys River, which has played a crucial role in the city’s development as a transportation hub.

The colour gradients add depth and meaning to the flag. The warm tones of the maple leaf evoke the changing seasons, particularly autumn, which is a defining characteristic of Northern Ontario’s landscape. The various shades of blue in the waves reflect the city’s connection to water-based industries, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts. The contour lines, shifting from earthy greens to golden tones, symbolize the blend of natural beauty and industrial progress that defines Sault Ste. Marie’s economy and culture.

One of the most distinctive features of the flag is that it is not a standard rectangle. The design itself includes a wavy edge at the top and bottom, reinforcing the flowing water motif. However, for cost and practical reasons, the flag is often printed on a rectangular banner, with the intended flag design ending at the golden outlines. The white areas in the top left and bottom right are not actually part of the design but rather blank spaces resulting from printing limitations.

The flag’s ratio appears to be approximately 9:16, which differs from the more traditional 1:2 ratio used by the Canadian national flag and most provincial and territorial flags. This slight variation gives the flag a unique visual presence while maintaining a proportional balance suitable for public display.