Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)

Alistair Fraser {fra98] notes:

Using the elements the committee had found to be uppermost in the minds of the public, Newfoundland artist, Christopher Pratt, drafted many proposals, six of which he submitted to the committee. Pratt's favourite was the one the committee, and ultimately the House of Assembly chose. It was given royal assent on June 6, 1980 and raised for the first time on June 24, Discovery Day, the anniversary of the arrival in Newfoundland of John Cabot in 1497.

Smith (Flag Bulletin XX, 2) gives same date for first hoisting. The selection by the committee of the House of Assembly was 29 April 1980. The vote in Assembly was 26 May (22 votes for, 10 against, 20 abstentions). Royal assent is dated 28 May 1980, and bill signed by Lt. Governor 6 June 1980
Jaume Ollé, 29 April 2003

Znamierowski is perfectly right in that the flag was adopted by 'An Act to Adopt a Flag for the Province' which received Royal Assent on 28 May 1980 (I have a copy on file). It was first officially raised on 23 June 1980.

Christopher Southworth, 29 April 2003

From the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism site, http://www.gov.nf.ca/tourism/topmenu/info/default.htm:

In this flag, the primary colours of red, gold and blue are placed against a background of white to allow the design to stand clearly. White is representative of snow and ice; blue represents the sea; red represents human efforts; and gold our confidence in ourselves. The blue section, most reminiscent of the Union Jack, represents our Commonwealth heritage which has so decisively shaped our present. The red and gold section, larger than the other, represents our future. The two triangles outlined in red portray the mainland and island parts of our province reaching forward together. A golden arrow points the way to what we believe will be a bright future. Surrounded by red to indicate human effort, the arrow suggests that our future is for making and not the taking. But the design of the flag encompasses much more symbolism than this. For example, the Christian Cross, the Beothuk and Naskapi ornamentation, the outline of the maple leaf in the centre of the flag, a triumphant figure and our place in the space age. The image of a trident stands out. This is to emphasize our continued dependence on the fishery and the resources of the sea. Hung as a banner, the arrow assumes the aspect of a sword which is to remind us of the sacrifice of our War Veterans. Since the whole flag resembles a Beothuk pendant, as well as all the above, the design takes us from our earliest beginnings and points us confidently forward. It, therefore, mirrors our past, present and future. The flag was officially adopted on June 6, 1980. The flag was designed by artist Christopher Pratt.

There are some differences between what I have based on an official model, and the illustration above. Although undated this model was received in 1998, and does not differ significantly from that in the Schedule attached to the 'Act to Adopt a Flag for the Province' of 1980 (a copy of which I have on file). It shows the white border at the top and bottom to be half the width of that at the hoist and fly, whilst the border at the hoist and fly is the same width as the white bars that make up the arrow head and vertical dividing panel between the two halves (which are themselves significantly narrower than we show them). The width of the arms of the red triangles is equal to the width of the border at the top and bottom of the flag (or half the width of the white bars), whilst the red bordered gold sword blade is shorter than the red triangles rather than the same length as we have it.

The slightly sanitized spec I drew up based on the above reads 5-55-10-55-5 for the hoist, 10-90-10-140-10 for the top and 5-5-49-3-6-3-49-5-5 for the fly. The sword blade (allowing for the indentation at the base which forms the apex of the white arrow head and for the point) reads 9-94-17, and the centre figures (marking the identical depth of the blue gores and red triangles) at 5-48-24-48-5. If anybody wants to have a go at this flag, or just wants a copy of the spec please let me know (on or off-list) and I will send them one.
Christopher Southworth, 17 July 2007

Before 1949 Newfoundland had a Governor-General rather than a Lt. Gov., as it was self-governing and not a Canadian province. His flag had a green *laurel* leaf garland, and the 'terra nova' badge surmounted by a royal crown.

It is recorded as changing, in 1904, from 'the badge applied to the disc', to, 'the badge filling the whole disc'. To me, this implies that the crown now protruded above the top of the disc, breaking the garland, just as on the Canadian Governor-General's flag.
David Prothero, 19 February 1997

The shield of the arms of Newfoundland used on the flag of the lieutenant-governor adopted in January 1987. As a colony, Newfoundland was granted for a defaced red ensign (Admiralty Warrant of 25 October 1918). On The Observer's book of Flags" Ed. 1979, W. Crampton wrote that "The official flag of Newfoundland and Labrador is the Union Jack, although vessels in the service of the province may use the Blue Ensign with a badge in the fly".
Mario Fabretto, 2 October 1997

Editorial Note: In 2001, the name of the province of Newfoundland was officially changed to Newfoundland and Labrador. Some references in the Newfoundland pages represent the older name when discussing pre-change flags.

Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada)

Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador

The Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador

Flag of the Lieutenant-Governor

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

Subdivisions of Newfoundland and Labrador

Flags of Subdivisions