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# Hearst, Ontario (Canada)

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Last modified: 2026-07-04 by rob raeside
Keywords: ontario | hearst | phoenix | fleur-de-lys |
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image by Ivan Sache, 7 July 2013

- Description of the flag
- Previous flag

See also:

- Cochrane District
- Université de Hearst
- Municipal Flags of Ontario
- Ontario
- Canada

## Description of the flag

Also known as the "Moose Capital of Canada", Hearst is a town with a population of 6,000 people, located along the northern part of the Trans-Canada Highway (#11), on the Mattawishkwia River.
The Town of Hearst was originally known as Grant, but the name was changed in honour of Sir William Howard Hearst, the 7th premier of Ontario (1914-1919). Founded in the early 1900s and incorporated as a town in 1922 under Mayor Gus McManus, Hearst was once a small settlement of farmers. Eventually, Hearst became a maintenance station for the National Transcontinental Railway, later renamed the Canadian National Railway, as well as a terminus for the Algoma Central Railway. The rail industry attracted many people to Hearst and as a result, the population and economy grew. A large portion of the inhabitants came from Quebec and today about 85% of the community is francophone.
http://www.hearst.ca/en/town-hall/heritage/index.aspx - Town's website
The flag of Hearst was adopted on 12 June 1979 by the Municipal Council (see previous flag). It was modified on 26 June 2013 by adding beneath the shield a yellow scroll charged with the name of the town in black letters.
http://cinnfm.com/cinn/le-conseil-municipal-modifie-le-drapeau-de-hearst - "CINN" radio, 27 June 2013
Ivan Sache, 7 July 2013

The green and the white in the escutcheon represent the two opposite seasons.
The upper part represents the forest symbolized by the squirrel fur line
The phoenix represents the city which made great strides in spite of two forest fires.
The cross mainly identifies a Christian community of French and English, represented by the fleur-de-lys and rose.
The escutcheon: the woodland Canadian crown (made up of three maple leaves and two cones) represents the importance of forest industry within the community.

The municipal flag - A green flag, 1:2, Canadian pale, in the center - the armorial bearings

## Previous flag

image by Ivan Sache, 7 July 2013