Centennial Flame, Canadian Symbol

Posted by Susanna McLeod Jul 29, 2007

The centrepiece of a low-set, flowing fountain, the Centennial flame was lit by Lester B Pearson on December 31, 1967. From a design suggested by W. K. Lamb, a National Librarian, the water bubbles out from a centre ring down over a circle of plaques set on a base of beautiful red granite. The plaques represent each province and territory of Canada. In the very centre, the flames burn bright, lighting the way to Centre Block in the Parliament Buildings of the Government of Canada.

Fuelled by natural gas the Flame burns day and night, year after year. Originally, the Flame was designated as part of a year-long celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday, noted Sarah Gilmour of Capital News Online. It was to be extinguished at the end of 1967, but a protest started by radio campaign changed the government’s mind. Forty years later, the Centennial Flame has become part of Canada’s heritage.

In honour of the historic occasion, the Centennial Flame fountain underwent an overhaul in late 2006. The metal basin was replaced with a new stainless steel bowl, the stone structure was re-done and a plaque for Nunavut was added. (Part of Canada’s north, Nunavut was designated a new Territory in 1999.) The Flame was re-lit at the end of February 2007.

While the Centennial Flame fountain itself is unpretentious, it is symbolic of Canada’s unity as a great nation from sea to sea. Making use of the grand symbolism, coins tossed into the fountain are collected and presented as a grant for health research. This year, a call went out for applicants in disabilities research with the stipulation that the researcher must be themselves disabled. Titled the Centennial Flame Research Award Fund, the annual grant is usually in the $4,000 range.

A few facts about the Centennial Flame:

• The water of the fountain flows in all seasons. In winter, glycol is added to prevent the water from freezing.
• This year, the Flame lit torches that made their way across Canada, arriving in Whitehorse in the Yukon for the 2007 Canadian Winter Games.
• When past Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau died in 2000, the Centennial Flame became a tribute site for mourners who left cards, flowers and wreaths in his honour.
• The Centennial Flame has also been called the Eternal Flame. But, the eternal flame does blow out every once in a while and is re-lit by Parliamentary staff or passers-by.

See a panoramic view of the Centennial Flame