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Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)

image by Zachary Harden, 27 February 2007
Adopted: 24 January 2001

City Flag
Former flags of Ottawa
National Capital Commission

See also:

City Flag

From the Ottawa visual image page on the flag:

Flag

The stylized O design is the centrepiece of the new flag. The look is simple, but festive. When it is flying, the feeling of vibrant motion is very apparent.

The flag's design uses the blue and green colours chosen to represent the new city. The dynamic use of colour is a direct reflection of how the citizens feel about their city. The large blue is symbolic of the rivers and waterways that are a part of life in the Ottawa area. The large green areas speak to our quality of life and the abundance of green space in the region.

Flag Usage

All departments, Council, committees, boards and commissions may use the flag authorized by Council. Flags will also be available for use by the public.

The standard size for the flag is 183 cm wide by 91 cm tall. It may be reproduced at a smaller or larger size but the proportions of 1:2 must never be altered.

The coat of arms of Ottawa is described as follows:

On October 20, 1954, the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, C.H., Governor General of Canada, presented to Ottawa City Council the Arms of Ottawa, issued under grant of the Kings of Arms.

The Coat of Arms is a distinguished and official symbol with an elevated status that is set apart from the Wordmark and other marketing and communication tools. As a heraldic device, it is intended for ceremonial application only. Its use will be restricted to key applications and may include the following examples: Mayor's ceremonial stationery; Mayor's chain of office; selected proclamations; seals; certificates and invitations; selected souvenirs; and, executive gifts. The Coat of Arms is granted under the authority of the Governor General as the Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. Under no circumstances will it be altered without approval of Council. Should any organizations or groups wish to use the Coat of Arms, prior approval must be sought by making application to the Director of Client Services and Public Information or his/her designate. Approval must be provided by City Council.

The logotype, indeed the wordmark, of Ottawa, is described as follows

The foundation of the new look is the Ottawa Wordmark. It will be used frequently: on outdoor signs, vehicles, advertising and printed materials, uniforms and souvenirs, and will be the most commonly used visual element by the City of Ottawa.

The focal point of the logo is a stylized O formed by three streamers which come together, symbolizing unity and harmony and working together towards a common goal. It suggests energy and motion, reflecting the vibrancy of our city as well as its economic and business strengths - a city that's innovative and on the leading edge.

The shape of the streamers is reminiscent of a maple leaf and a hint of local architecture, while the colours blue and green - most frequently chosen by the public - remind us of the parks, green space and waterways that surround us.

The Wordmark will be the main identification tool used by the City of Ottawa. It will be the most commonly used visual element by the City of Ottawa and most visible to the community. Its main objectives are to: clearly identify the programs, services and facilities provided through municipal tax dollars, and present a unified image to the public. This includes and is not limited to the following: all stationery and forms; all publications; newspaper advertisements; facility and other asset signs; staff identification/uniforms; souvenirs; vehicles; and, electronic usages.

The section on the city policy on usage of the symbols states that the symbols of Ottawa were adopted by the City Council on 24 January 2001.
Ivan Sache, 26 February 2007

Former flags of Ottawa

1901-1987 flag
image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 8 April 2006

1987-2000 flag
image by Peter Orenski, 18 November 2012
based on research and information provided by James Croft and Kevin Harrington

Coat of Arms detail
image by Peter Orenski, 18 November 2012
based on research and information provided by James Croft and Kevin Harrington

The City of Ottawa flew a different flag, a tricolour of (from the hoist to the fly) royal purple, red and blue. Royal purple was put in because Queen Victoria made Ottawa the capital, while red and blue were the colours of the Liberal and Conservative parties at the time the flag was adopted, in 1901. In 1987 the whole Ottawa arms was put on the middle red panel.
Source: Jaques Cyr: "Flags in the Ottawa Valley", Flagscan, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1993, pp. 11-16
Jan Oskar Engene, 10 August 1996

The flag of Ottawa City was a vertical blue-red-purple, with the full arms in the center. Harrington describes it in Flagscan as symbolizing the conservatives, the liberals and the royalty, but I always thought there was a link to do with the identical colours used by the Canadian and British armies.
Luc Baronian, 19 June 1997

I did see a flag similar to the one Luc describes, but a purple-red-purple tricolour with a coat of arms on it. This combination is quite eye-catching! As I only ever seemed to see that flag outside fire stations, I took it to be the flag of the fire department. There were two men that I thought were two firemen (the flags were fluttering) supporting the shield. I have since found the coat-of-arms at http://www.ottawakiosk.com/Ottawajgpg.html and think that the two men are a lumberjack and a policeman(?). (They are a timber timmer and an officer of the Civil Service Rifle Regiment - LVB)

This is probably the flag that Luc is referring to as the city flag, although I wonder what happened to the blue.
Rob Raeside, 19 July 1997

National Capital Commission

image by Eugene Ipavec, 28 August 2010

The National Capital Commission - see http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16296&lang=1 - is the organization that looks after all the federal government properties in the Ottawa area.