Province of Ontario

The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.

Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms, Supporters and Flag
October 15, 2010
Vol. VI, p. 2

Arms of the Province of Ontario
Arms of the Province of Ontario
Flag of the Province of Ontario
 
Arms of the Province of Ontario

Arms of the Province of Ontario

Blazon

Vert a sprig of three maple leaves Or, on a chief Argent a cross Gules;

Symbolism

The maple leaves represent Canada. The cross of St. George is a symbol of England.

Crest

Blazon

A bear passant Sable;

Symbolism

The black bear is an animal native to Ontario.

Motto

Blazon

UT INCEPIT FIDELIS SIC PERMANET;

Symbolism

Meaning “As loyal she began, so loyal she remains”, this Latin motto alludes to the creation of the province, as Upper Canada, by the United Empire Loyalists after the American Revolutionary War.

Supporters

Blazon

Dexter a moose, sinister a Canadian deer proper;

Symbolism

The moose and the deer are animals native to Ontario.
Flag of the Province of Ontario

Flag of the Province of Ontario

Blazon

Gules an escutcheon of the Arms of Ontario, a canton of the Royal Union Flag proper;

Symbolism

The flag follows the design of the Canadian Red Ensign, used as an official emblem of Canada prior to 1965, with the provincial arms in place of the national.
 

Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the letters patent was made on November 12, 2011 in Volume 145, page 3514 of the Canada Gazette.

Letters patent registering the heraldic emblems of the Province of Ontario

Additional Information

Creator(s)

Original concept of the heralds of the College of Arms, London (Arms), Edward Marion Chadwick (Crest, Motto and Supporters) and the Government of Ontario (Flag).

Painter

Dennis Field

Calligrapher

Not applicable

Recipient Type

Civil Institution
Provincial & Territorial (General)

Other Information

The arms were originally recorded in the records of the College of Arms, London, England, 26 May 1868, as a Royal Warrant of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

The crest, motto and supporters were originally recorded in the records of the College of Arms, London, England, 27 February 1909.

The flag was adopted by The Flag Act, 1965 (S.O. 1965, c. 42), proclaimed into force effective 21 May 1965.

Photo courtesy of Tom Foulds