Canadian Provincial Symbols Trivia Quiz

Answer: Newfoundland & Labrador

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is easily found nesting and breeding on Newfoundland & Labrador's coasts; it was adopted as Newfoundland & Labrador's provincial bird in 1991.

The purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) is found throughout the province in bogs and marshes; it was adopted as the provincial flower in 1954.

The black spruce (Picea mariana) is the most abundant tree to be found in the province; it was adopted as the provincial tree in 1993.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Newfoundland & Labrador include:

Mineral: Labradorite
Game bird: Partridge or ptarmigan Lagopus
Animal: Newfoundland pony
Dogs: Newfoundland dog, Labrador retriever
Tartan: Green with gold, white, brown and red bands

Newfoundland & Labrador also has an official anthem, written by Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle in 1902, entitled "Ode to Newfoundland".

Lastly, the province's motto is "Quaerite primum regnum dei", which translates as "Seek ye first the kingdom of God", from Matthew 6:33.

Answer: New Brunswick

The black-capped chickadee (Parus atricapillus) was chosen as New Brunswick's provincial bird after the provincial Federation of Naturalists held a contest in 1983.

The purple violet (Viola cucullata) was suggested to be the provincial flower in 1936 by the provincial Women's Institute, the Lieutenant Governor (Colonel the Hon. Murray MacLaren) and the schoolchildren of New Brunswick.

The balsam fir (Abies balsamea), which comprises the vast majority of New Brunswick's Christmas tree industry, was chosen as the province's official tree in 1987.

New Brunswick also has an official provincial soil: the Holmesville Soil Series, adopted in 1997.

The provincial tartan is described as forest green, meadow green and blue, interwoven with gold, with red blocks.

New Brunswick's motto is "Spem reduxit", which translates as "Hope was restored".

Answer: Prince Edward Island

The Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was chosen in a 1976 province-wide vote as PEI's provincial bird, and officially adopted in 1977.

The lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule), made the official provincial flower in 1947, is an orchid that blooms in late May and June and grows in the shady and moist woodlands of PEI.

The red oak (Quercus rubra) was an important resource for early PEI colonists, although the tree is no longer quite so prevalent on the island. It was adopted as PEI's official tree in 1987.

Like New Brunswick, PEI has an official provincial soil: the Charlottetown soil, which is the predominant farming soil on the island.

The provincial tartan is reddish-brown, green, white and yellow.

PEI also has an official hymn, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery in 1908, entitled "The Island Hymn". It was not officially adopted by the province until 2010.

And, of course, there is also PEI's motto, "Parva sub ingenti", which translates as "The small under the protection of the great".

Answer: Ontario

The common loon (Gavia immer) can be found throughout Ontario's lakes and rivers, of which there are many. It was adopted as Ontario's provincial bird in 1994.

White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) is not only found all over Ontario, its image is also utilized on licenses, medical cards and as an official symbol of Ontario government. It was chosen to be the province's official flower in 1937.

The eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) became Ontario's official tree in 1984. They were an important source of income and trade in the early days of European settlement, and are the tallest trees to be found in the province.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Ontario include:

Gemstone: Amethyst, adopted in 1975
Colours: Green and gold
Tartan: Red and white with three shades of green and two shades of blue

And Ontario's motto is "Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet", which translates as "Loyal she began, loyal she remains".

Answer: Manitoba

The great grey owl (Strix nebulosa) can be found across the province year round, and also happens to be North America's largest owl. It was adopted as Manitoba's provincial bird in 1987.

The prairie crocus (Anemone patens) is also known as the pasque-flower, the windflower and the gosling plant. It was officially adopted as the provincial flower in 1906.

The white spruce (Picea glauca) is capable of surviving in every climatic and environmental region of Manitoba. It also happens to be North America's northern-most tree species. It was adopted as the provincial tree in 1991.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Manitoba include:

Mammal: Plains bison
Fish: Walleye
Fossil: Mosasaur
Grass: Big bluestem
Tartan: Dark red, azure blue, dark green and golden

Manitoba's motto is "Gloriosus et liber", translating as "Glorious and free".

Answer: Alberta

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) can be found all through the forests and fields of Alberta. It was adopted as the provincial bird in 1977.

The wild rose (Rosa acicularis) is also found throughout the province of Alberta, and even has a place of honour with the licence plate motto, Wild Rose Country. It became the provincial flower of Alberta in 1930.

Lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta latifolia) were crucial in Alberta's forest industry in the early 1900s when it became a province. It was adopted in 1984.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Alberta include:

Mammal: Bighorn sheep
Fish: Bull trout
Stone: Petrified wood
Grass: Rough fescue
Colours: Blue and gold
Tartan: Green, gold, blue, pink and black

Alberta also has an official anthem, written by Mary Kieftenbeld, entitled "Alberta". It was adopted in 2001 in preparation of the centennial celebrations in 2005.

Alberta's motto is "Fortis et liber", which translates as "Strong and free".

Answer: Nova Scotia

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a bird of prey who loves fish, and can often be seen over the oceans and lakes of Nova Scotia. It was adopted as the provincial bird in 1994.

The mayflower (Epigaea repens) was already being used as a symbol in Nova Scotia in the early 1800s, but it was not adopted until 1901.

The red spruce, with its history as an important sawn lumber and pulpwood product in the province, was adopted as the official provincial tree in 1988. It is able to survive in virtually any terrain, and was chosen to represent the strength and resilience of Nova Scotians.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Nova Scotia include:

Horse: Sable Island horse
Dog: Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever
Fish: Brook trout
Berry: Wild blueberry
Gemstone: Agate
Mineral: Stilbite
Fossil: Hylonomus lyelli "forest wanderer"
Maritime ambassador: Bluenose II
Tartan: Blue, white, greens, red and gold

Nova Scotia's motto is "Munit haec et altera vincit", which translates as One defends and the other conquers".

Answer: Saskatchewan

The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pedioectes phasianellus jamesi) lives year-round in Saskatchewan. It was adopted as the provincial bird in 1945.

The western red lily (Lilium philadelphicum var. andinum) is also known as the prairie lily. It was adopted in 1941 on the suggestion of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society.

The paper birch, also prevalent and noticeable in Saskatchewan, was made the official provincial tree in 1988.

Other provincial symbols adopted by Saskatchewan include:

Animal: White-tailed deer
Grass: Needle-and-thread grass
Mineral: Potash
Sport: Curling
Symbol: Wheat sheaf
Tartan: Gold, brown, green, red, yellow, white and black

Saskatchewan's motto is "Multis e gentibus vires", which translates as "From many peoples, strength"

Answer: Québec

The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) was selected as a symbol of the province's support for wildlife protection. It was adopted as Québec's provincial bird in 1987.

The blue flag (Iris versicolor) was adopted in 1987 as the official provincial flower.

The yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) was an important tree in Québec's early furniture and building industries. It is abundant in the southern part of the province, and was adopted as the provincial tree to show Québec's commitment to environmental protection.

Québec also claims the fleur-de-lis as its official symbol.

Québec's motto is "Je Me Souviens", which translates as "I remember".

Answer: British Columbia

Stellar's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) was voted for by the people of BC and officially became the provincial bird in 1982.

The Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttalli) is prevalent throughout the southern and western parts of BC. It was adopted as the provincial flower in 1956.

The western redcedar (Thuja plicata donn) represents the value of the forestry industry in British Columbia, and was adopted as the province's official tree in 1988.

Other provincial symbols adopted by British Columbia include:

Mammal: Spirit bear
Fish: Pacific salmon
Gemstone: Jade
Tartan: Blue, white, green, red and gold

British Columbia's motto is "Splendor sine occasu", which translates as "Splendour without diminishment"