The Y4Y Québec Symbolism project
Funded by Canadian Heritage, the Flag Project aimed to promote the visibility and vitality of Québec's English-speaking community through the creation of an official flag. Inspired by the flags of French-speaking communities in the rest of Canada, this highly creative project focused on mobilising and engaging with Québec’s English-speaking youth to identify the meaningful symbols and emblems that represent this multifaceted community. The flag will be a unifying symbol for the English-speaking community of Québec, and will increase a sense of belonging among English-speakers in Québec. The flag can be used by all community organisations to identify gatherings, events, activities and projects that focus on the English-speaking community.
Y4Y's Youth Artists and Symbolism Committee are proud to share their 3 flag designs to represent the English-Speaking Community of Québec!
Meet the Youth Artists
Albano Anis
Albano is currently a student at Dawson College, and he has always had a deep interest in art and drawing.
Dana Isaac
Dana is a third year Psychology student at Concordia University. Having also worked for the Black Community Resource Center, she is passionate about embracing diversity and inclusion in the anglophone community of Québec.
Muriel Smith
Muriel Smith is a graduating Illustration student at Dawson College who will soon study animation in university. As an illustrator, she loves working with realistic forms, visible brushstrokes and bold line-work.
Coco Wang
Coco is a Chinese-Canadian from London, Ontario. She spent the past four years studying Environmental Sciences at McGill University in Montréal. Her summers studying French and exploring in Chicoutimi and Sherbrooke drew her closer to the diverse and dynamic Québécois community. As an artist, she has worked on mural projects and designs for communities and friends. @artwithcocowang
Meet the Symbolism Committee
Isabella Lewis
Bella is currently completing her undergraduate degree at McGill university in Sociocultural Anthropology and International Development Studies. She moved to Montréal three years ago after being born in raised in Barbados and joined the Y4Y team in November 2019. Being in sociocultural anthropology, Bella is passionate about people and community, being involved with Y4Y through their community outreach programs is a meaningful way for her to make a difference in her new home of Québec.
David-Roger Gagnon
Coming from an East-coast family, David-Roger is proud of his Québécois, Acadien and Indigenous roots. He completed his studies in music, in theology and in community development. David-Roger has had an interest in flags since the age of 5 years old. He has long been a member of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), and has participated in numerous conferences on flags, has designed some of his own, and has lectured and animated workshops on flags, flag etiquette, and flag design.
Talia Carin
After graduating from Fine Arts from Concordia University, Talia Carin combined her passion for the arts with an interest in psychology and pursued a Master's in Art Therapy. Since that time she has worked in community art studios, schools, and opened a private practice.
Charlie Orme
Charlie is a student in Concordia University’s Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration program. He has served on Y4Y’s Policy Committee for the past two years, sits on the federal NDP’s Section Québec Policies and Statutes Committee, and was a candidate in the 2018 Québec provincial election.
Hany Shokair
Hany is a Syrian refugee to Canada and has been living in Montréal since September 2018. Hany is a fighter for political and social justice which he was denied back in his home country. He has also worked for the betterment of refugee women, children and LGBT groups, as well as running a school for refugee children in Lebanon.
Aaron Kalfon
Aaron is currently studying Public Affairs and Liberal Arts at Concordia University . He has always volunteered his time for organizations and individuals that believe in the importance of addressing complex issues head on. Aaron’s interest in Y4Y began when he recognized a real need being addressed by the organization’s mandate and mission. The problem of isolation in Québec is an issue of great importance for this generation to tackle, and Y4Y is absolutely driven to address this issue.