THE OFFICIAL FLAG OF TORONTO
THE DESIGN
THE HISTORY
The City of Toronto Flag Design Committee selects Rene DeSantis’ Toronto flag design as the winner of the flag design competition.
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1974
The City of Toronto Flag Design Committee selects Rene DeSantis’ Toronto flag design as the winner of the flag design competition. On August 28, 1974 the City of Toronto Flag Design Committee launches a competition to select the new Toronto flag design. The Committee receives over 700 submissions from residents of all ages from Metropolitan Toronto. On November 6, 1974 the Committee unanimously selects the design of 21-year-old Rene DeSantis, a George Brown College graphic design student. The next day, the official flag raising ceremony is held in Nathan Philips Square, acknowledging DeSantis’ work.
The CN Tower opens as the tallest building in the world.
1975
The first Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place under the name "The Festival of Festivals".
George Brown College expands with the new St. James Campus offering programs in business, community services, deaf and deaf-blind studies, and more.
1976
1976
Canada’s Wonderland opens, drawing families and thrill-seekers from around the world.
1981
The Roy Thompson Hall opens, designed by Canadian architects Arthur Erickson, Mathers, and Haldenby.
1982
Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau visits George Brown College students at the Nassau Street Campus in Kensington Market.
1983
The George Brown College Foundation is established to offer scholarships, bursaries, and larger initiatives for students.
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre opens and goes on to host many large-scale events ...
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1984
1984
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre opens and goes on to host many large-scale events such as the G20 summit, the G7 summit, the Canadian International Auto Show, Canadian Idol auditions, and So You Think You Can Dance Canada auditions.
The SkyDome opens and is later renamed the Rogers Centre.
1989
Julia Child visits George Brown College to sign cookbooks, taste local foods, and perform a cooking demonstration for culinary students.
1991
The Toronto Blue Jays win Canada’s first World Series title. They would go on to win again in 1993.
1992
Using the design skills he learned at George Brown College, DeSantis launches Montana Steele Strategic Marketing...
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1993
Using the design skills he learned at George Brown College, DeSantis launches Montana Steele Strategic Marketing, offering design and branding solutions for real estate companies across the Greater Toronto Area.
East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, Toronto and York merge to form the new City of Toronto.
1998
A second competition is launched to find a design for the newly amalgamated City of Toronto flag...
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1999
A second competition is launched to find a design for the newly amalgamated City of Toronto flag, and DeSantis’ design is selected as the winner again. The Committee doesn’t choose any of the 161 entries from the public. During the process of evaluating the city’s design proposals, DeSantis suggests his design remain, with a few minor adjustments the Committee was looking for. After months of debate over the new flag design, it is decided that the slightly modified design by DeSantis is the clear favourite.
The Sheppard Subway Line opens, further connecting Toronto’s boroughs.
2002
The Northeast Blackout occurs, leaving many Ontario residents without power.
2003
The National Post holds a failed flag re-design contest and is mocked for offering a National Post coffee mug as the grand prize.
2006
The G20 Toronto summit is held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, sparking major protests downtown.
2010
George Brown College President Anne Sado is appointed a Member of the Order of Canada ...
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2013
George Brown College President Anne Sado is appointed a Member of the Order of Canada and is recognized for her role in improving Ontario’s college education system and bringing a new vision to George Brown.
2015
Toronto hosts the Pan American Games and Parapan American Games, drawing athletes and sports fans from across the continent.
2015
Toronto is nicknamed "The 6" (or "The 6ix") by Toronto-born musician Drake.
Photo from Wikipedia
The Toronto Raptors undergo a rebrand, retiring their purple and red style in favour of a fresh, modern look.
2016
On a promotional tour in Toronto, American boxer Floyd Mayweather mistakenly states...
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2017
Chanel opens their astounding Canadian flagship location on Yorkville Avenue, with Toronto flags waving at the entrance.
2017
Toronto hosts the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event created by Prince Harry for veterans and army personnel who are wounded, injured, or ill.
2017
On a promotional tour in Toronto, American boxer Floyd Mayweather mistakenly states, “I’m wearing that Toronto flag” while wearing a t-shirt with a red and white maple leaf design.
2017
Prime Miniter Justin Trudeau visits George Brown College’s Casa Loma Campus to greet students and staff, tour the facilities, and hold a press conference.
In January 2018, the School of Design at George Brown College works with DeSantis on a design challenge...
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Canadian actor Seth Rogan becomes the new voice of TTC announcements.
Photo from Wikipedia.
2018
In January 2018, the School of Design at George Brown College works with DeSantis on a design challenge in their studio lab course to create a City of Toronto flag logo, website, exhibit, and related products.
The partnership continues to execute the ideas that came out of the course, offering students a chance to work on a real project that aims to elevate the visibility of the Toronto flag and the unique identity it brings to Toronto.
2018
April 9th, 2019 - Vimy Ridge Day – Juno Beach – The Toronto Flag flies again in June to commemorate ...
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In October 2019, Rene meets with Toronto City Councillor Mike Colle (Ward 8) to discuss the history of the Toronto flag and its importance as a local symbol.
Rene DeSantis commemorates the 45th anniversary of the flag with a visit to the Mayor’s Office...
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2019
April 9th, 2019 - Vimy Ridge Day – Juno Beach – The Toronto Flag flies again in June to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and to honour those from the city of Toronto who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.
2019
2019
Rene DeSantis commemorates the 45th anniversary of the flag with a visit to the Mayor’s Office. He presents Mayor John Tory with an autographed print of an artistic interpretation of the Toronto flag to mark the occasion.
2019
Rene DeSantis visits City Hall and is acknowledged in Council Chambers. He meets with Speaker of Toronto City Council Frances Nunziata and presents each member of Council with an autographed print commemorating the Toronto Flag.
March 2nd, 2020 - Ambassador meets Creator - @Supendra gets together with Rene DeSantis to share their love of TO.
June 6th, 2020 – Toronto Remembers D-Day –The Vimy Ridge Toronto Flag flies in honour of those that served our country
July 14th, 2020 - Gift to the City – Toronto ”Feel the Love” Music Video is featured on CP24 Toronto
2020
2020
2020
#BirdO, also known as @JerryRugg, and Rene DeSantis share a proud, celebrate-Toronto moment.
#BirdO murals can be discovered all over Toronto, across the country, around the world, and now right here!
2021
2021
September 10/11, 2022 - Toronto Flag X George Brown College create a Pop-Up Shop at the Celebrate Toronto Event
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September 10th, 2022– The inaugural LIVE performance of the “Feel The Love” Toronto anthem
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2022
September 10/11, 2022 - Toronto Flag X George Brown College create a Pop-Up Shop at the Celebrate Toronto Event, with net proceeds from the sales going to The Toronto Flag x GBC School of Design Scholarship, supporting full-time students enrolled at the School of Design at George Brown College.
2022
September 10th, 2022– The inaugural LIVE performance of the “Feel The Love” Toronto anthem performed by Freeman Dre and the Kitchen Party, The Ra11n, and The Eagle Woman Singerz at Nathan Phillips Square.
May 5th, 2023 – The Toronto Flag X GBC School of Design Scholarships are awarded to Karlo Matt Rian Ong (pictured) and Im Kyung (Lisa) Lee.
2023
May 2024 – The Toronto Blue Jays premiere their new Night Mode City Connect uniforms, featuring nods to the Toronto Flag, City Hall and the CN Tower.
May 2nd, 2024 – At YES!2024, the Rene DeSantis Scholarship for Excellence in Design at George Brown College is awarded to Meleana Conquer (pictured) and Parnian Hadian Haghighi.
Beginning this October, the Toronto Flag is being added to many City of Toronto fleet vehicles.
October 17th, 2024 – The Original Toronto Flag Design Submission from 1974 at the City of Toronto Archives.
November 14th, 2024 – The City of Toronto celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Toronto Flag with an address from Mayor Chow…
…a flag raising on the podium of City Hall that includes friends and neighbours, the Deputy Mayors, Councillors, and former Councillors…
…an acknowledgement from Deputy Mayor Mike Colle…
…and a presentation and motion in chambers, recognizing the Toronto Flag as an iconic symbol of the city.
November 18th, 2024 – In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Toronto Flag, Marco DeVuono and the Villa Charities team raised the Toronto Flag outside of the Columbus Centre.
2024
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