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Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporters
January 16, 1990
Vol. I, p. 70
Arms of Ramon John HnatyshynBlazonPer fess Bleu Céleste and Or in chief a lion passant guardant Or royally crowned proper holding in its dexter paw a maple leaf Gules fimbriated Or in base a lion passant guardant Bleu Céleste holding in its dexter paw a heart Gules; SymbolismThe sky blue and gold colours are taken from the ancient arms of Ukraine, where Mr. Hnatyshyn’s family originates. The viceregal lion alludes to Mr. Hnatyshyn’s service as governor general of Canada. The blue lion holding a heart is inspired by the arms of Denmark, where Mrs. Hnatyshyn’s father was born. |
CrestBlazonA demi lion Gules charged on each shoulder with a maple leaf Argent holding in its dexter forepaw scales of justice Or; SymbolismThe red lion is taken from the arms of Saskatchewan, Mr. Hnatyshyn’s home province. It wears a silver maple leaf on each shoulder, though only one is visible, representing his two sons. The scales of justice symbolize Mr. Hnatyshyn’s profession as a lawyer. |
MottoBlazonMODERATIO IN OMNIBUS; SymbolismThis Latin phrase means “Moderation in all things.” |
SupportersBlazonDexter a white tailed deer per fess Bleu Céleste and Or armed and gorged with a collar all Or pendant therefrom a bezant charged with a representation of the badge of the House of Commons of Canada proper, sinister a bull per fess Bleu Céleste and Or gorged with a collar Vert fimbriated Argent pendant therefrom a prairie lily flower proper charged with the Tryzub of the Ukraine Blue Céleste the whole set upon a compartment party per pale of trees of the boreal forest Vert and a wheat field Or rising above barry wavy Azure and Argent; SymbolismThe deer comes from the arms of Saskatchewan; hanging from its collar is the badge of the House of Commons of Canada, of which Mr. Hnatyshyn was a member for 14 years. The bull is one of the oldest emblems of Bukovina, the Ukrainian province where Mr. Hnatyshyn’s family is from. Hanging from the bull’s collar is an emblem linking Saskatchewan and Ukraine: the prairie lily, Saskatchewan’s provincial flower, surmounted by the Ukrainian trident, a symbol of the Ukrainian people for a thousand years. The mount in base symbolizes the forests and wheat fields of Saskatchewan, while the waves symbolize the South Saskatchewan River. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on January 27, 1990 in Volume 124, page 273 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterCathy Bursey-Sabourin CalligrapherJohn Whitehead Recipient TypeIndividual Special DesignationGovernor General |