I propose the adaptation of the rainbow as our emblem. By the endless variety of its tint the rainbow will give an excellent idea of the diversity of races, religions, sentiments and interests of the different parts of the Confederation. By its slender and elongated form the rainbow would afford a perfect representation of the geographical configuration of the Confederation. By its lack of consistence – an image without substance – the rainbow would represent aptly the solidity of our Confederation. An emblem we must have, for every great empire has one; let us adopt the rainbow.
Henri Joly de Lotbinière, in the debates in the legislative assembly of Canada
on the proposed scheme of a British North America, Quebec, 20 February, 1865.
Source: See the Epigraph in Frank H. Underhill, In Search of Canadian Liberalism (Toronto: Macmillan Co. of Canada, 1960)[reprinted 1975].
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