Celebrating B.C. Day

A primer on the province’s symbols

British Columbia’s nine official symbols were chosen to highlight unique elements of the province, but many of the emblems face threats from nature and humans that could jeopardize their future.

Disease has decimated the Pacific dog- wood on Vancouver Island. Western red cedars in the capital region have dwindled as a result of construction and climate change. In 2006, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada declared the Pacific salmon an endangered species, later revising its stance, though salmon stocks still need help to grow. The declining salmon stocks as well as roving grizzly bears threaten the spirit bear.

“Some symbols, I understand with the passage of time, may have challenges in the environment, and we have to continue to work toward a strong diversity throughout our province,” said Norm Letnick, the parliamentary secretary for Intergovernmental Relations — the government branch that oversees the symbols.

The province has nine official symbols: the provincial flag, the coat of arms, Pacific dogwood, jade, the Steller’s jay, western red cedar, the spirit bear, the offi- cial tartan and, the most recent addition, Pacific salmon.

Letnick, the former minister of agriculture who was involved in the decision to protect the Pacific salmon, said he recognized the need to preserve the symbols.

It’s not all bad news for the province’s emblems. The Steller’s jay has flourished in urban neighbourhoods, the jade business is booming, and the tartan is becoming more popular in the capital region.