Stop And Smell The Trilliums
Trillium grandiflorum - that's the taxonomic name of the white trillium, the official flower of the Ontario and the inspiration for the provincial government's official logo since 1964.
The present Liberal government recently commissioned a new logo, a new version of the Trillium. It is, in a word, pointy. Opposition leaders John Tory and Howard Hampton would lead you to believe that Dalton McGuinty personally orchestrated a partisan conspiracy to defraud taxpayers out of $219,00 and foist some kind of Satanic pentagram on them and their Health Cards. The Tories have even launched a new website - Save The Trillium - to decry this affront. I am loathe to aid their political cause, but the site does offer us such inspirational nuggets as:
"Ontario's trillium has long been the symbol of hope and opportunity for all,"
and,
"The white blossom of the trillium is associated with peace and hope. Since 1964, the trillium has also served as the official logo for the government of Ontario. Over the ensuing four decades the trillium has become a universal symbol and seal for governments of all three major political parties. While an indelible part of our natural heritage, the trillium's future remains a considerable source of concern. Trilliums take over 15 years to mature, and quickly die should their distinctive three leaves (their only food source) get picked. Many jurisdictions have passed laws preventing the picking of trilliums, and the preservation of this flower, and all it stands for, remains a laudable goal of conservation minded Ontarians province wide. "
Isn't that sweet?
But what about the logo itself, faithful readers? The thing is, I don't particularly like either of them, old or new. The older versions of the logo are clearly dated, but the new logo (with it's nifty little people with outstretched arms - that's us, get it?) will probably date itself even faster. Forced to choose, I think I'd go for the retro, mid-2oth century, early space-age charm of the old logo.
For the time being, if trilliums are no longer doing the trick, might I suggest the Nine Inch Column could be the symbol of hope and opportunity for all?
The present Liberal government recently commissioned a new logo, a new version of the Trillium. It is, in a word, pointy. Opposition leaders John Tory and Howard Hampton would lead you to believe that Dalton McGuinty personally orchestrated a partisan conspiracy to defraud taxpayers out of $219,00 and foist some kind of Satanic pentagram on them and their Health Cards. The Tories have even launched a new website - Save The Trillium - to decry this affront. I am loathe to aid their political cause, but the site does offer us such inspirational nuggets as:
"Ontario's trillium has long been the symbol of hope and opportunity for all,"
and,
"The white blossom of the trillium is associated with peace and hope. Since 1964, the trillium has also served as the official logo for the government of Ontario. Over the ensuing four decades the trillium has become a universal symbol and seal for governments of all three major political parties. While an indelible part of our natural heritage, the trillium's future remains a considerable source of concern. Trilliums take over 15 years to mature, and quickly die should their distinctive three leaves (their only food source) get picked. Many jurisdictions have passed laws preventing the picking of trilliums, and the preservation of this flower, and all it stands for, remains a laudable goal of conservation minded Ontarians province wide. "
Isn't that sweet?
But what about the logo itself, faithful readers? The thing is, I don't particularly like either of them, old or new. The older versions of the logo are clearly dated, but the new logo (with it's nifty little people with outstretched arms - that's us, get it?) will probably date itself even faster. Forced to choose, I think I'd go for the retro, mid-2oth century, early space-age charm of the old logo.
For the time being, if trilliums are no longer doing the trick, might I suggest the Nine Inch Column could be the symbol of hope and opportunity for all?
posted by Benjamin Thornton at 11:54 p.m.
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