Photo: Galen Singer In 1997, the City of Toronto amalgamated, bringing together the former cities of Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, York and Toronto, the Borough of East York and the Metro level of government. Council began the search for a new flag to represent the newly formed city. The public was invited to submit designs. When Council did not approve any of the submissions, City design staff were asked to submit design proposals. During the councilors review of staff designs, Renato De Santis – designer of the original City of Toronto flag in 1974, suggested his design, the twin towers of City Hall on a blue background, with the red Maple Leaf of the Flag of Canada representing the Council Chamber, be approved with minor modifications.