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.
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of Arms and Supporters
February 23, 1990
Vol. II, p. 7
Arms of the City of OttawaBlazonArgent a cross wavy Azure charged with a like cross Argent between in the first quarter the Royal Crown proper and in the fourth quarter a maple leaf Gules on a chief also Gules an astrolabe Argent between to the dexter two arrows in saltire points upwards Argent surmounted by an Indigenous canoe paddle erect Or and to the sinister a spade and pick axe in saltire Argent surmounted by a grenade Or fired proper; SymbolismThe wavy blue and white cross represents the junction of the Ottawa River and the two tributaries, the Rideau and Gatineau rivers, which determined the location of the community. The Royal Crown honours the naming of Ottawa as the Dominion of Canada’s capital by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1857. The maple leaf is another reference to Ottawa as the capital of Canada. The canoe paddle and arrows symbolize the Outaouais Nation, who were the first occupants of the region. The astrolabe represents Samuel de Champlain, the first European to explore the region in 1613. The pick and shovel crossed behind a grenade allude to the Royal Engineers who, under Lieutenant-Colonel John By, built the Rideau Canal and founded Bytown, the original name of Ottawa. |
CrestBlazonA white pine fructed proper charged with a bezant thereon an oak tree eradicated and fructed proper; SymbolismThe white pine honours the role this natural resource played in attracting settlers into the Ottawa region and is also a reference to what was considered one of the Ottawa Valley’s principal economic assets. The roundel featuring an oak tree alludes to the former seal of Bytown. |
MottoBlazonADVANCE OTTAWA EN AVANT; SymbolismThe phrase is adapted from the city’s original motto, “City of Ottawa • Advance”. |
SupportersBlazonOn a grassy mound strewn with white pine cones dexter a timber trimmer of the date 1850 holding in the exterior hand a trimming axe head downwards and on the sinister an officer of the Civil Service Rifle Regiment all proper; SymbolismThe timber trimmer refers to Ottawa’s historic timber trade industry. The officer of the Civil Service Rifle Regiment indicates that this unit and its successors, composed of volunteers from the civil service, have served in Ottawa since 1865. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 31, 1990 in Volume 124, page 1150 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of the Heralds of the College of Arms, London. PainterCathy Bursey-Sabourin CalligrapherNancy Ellis Recipient TypeCivil Institution
Other InformationThe recipient's emblems were originally recorded in the records of the College of Arms, London, England, 15 September 1954. |