The flag of Medicine Hat is the banner representing the Canadian city of Medicine Hat.
 | |
| Proportion | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | July 14, 1998 |
| Design | A yellow field with a blue twisting stripe with three flames under said stripe and two wheels with a lamp in the middle at the top. |
| Designed by | Robert D. Watt |
It was designed in 1998 replacing the still frequently used Cree native man and war bonnet blue banner. However, after controversy, it was re-adopted in 2002 following a non-binding voluntary vote. Today, both flags can be used to represent Medicine Hat. With the official City of Medicine Hat website using the blue banner and the Governor General of Canada using the redesigned yellow flag.
History
editIn the late 1990s, the Medicine Hat Police Service asked, to commemorate its 100th anniversary, a coat of arms from the Canadian Heraldic Society. But, due to a convention, the city would need one first to base the subordinate symbol on. So, the city commissioned its own coat of arms, but received a flag and badge as part of the process. The finishing product is the yellow-blue flag appearing on the city's as well as the police's coat of arms. However, it was not a hit with Hatters (meaning people living in Medicine Hat), or the council.
In 2002, the redesign was put on a pole in front of the city plaza and Hatters were asked to take part in a non-binding voluntary vote. They were asked whether to adopt the new flag, or keep the both. 1,300 ballots dropped off at the at city hall, online and at the public library of which 1,004 preferred the old blue banner. [1]
Symbolism
editThe redesign, which is a banner of arms,[2] is a yellow background featuring a blue twisting stripe which evokes the South Saskatchewan River as well as flames, and wheels which points to Medicine Hat's industries: gas, rail and manufacturing.[3]
Alternative Flag
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The alternative flag, adopted in 1974, is a deep blue, with a white and blue circle in the middle in which is written: " City of Medicine Hat, Alberta" around a Cree native man coming from the Medicine Hat News logo. Permission was asked to use the copyrighted symbol of course. [4] Despite the new redesign, this flag remains popular among Hatters.
References
edit- ^ Gallant, Collin (January 8, 2022). "Medicine Hat's long-forgotten flag controversy". Medicine Hat News. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "City of Medicine Hat". Governor General of Canada. 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Herring, Jason (January 4, 2022). "What's in a flag? The history and future of six of Alberta's municipal ensigns". Calgary Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "Our History". City of Medicine Hat. 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2024.