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Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporters, with differences to Angus McLachlin
December 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 644
Arms of Beverley Marian McLachlinBlazonPer fess Gules and Argent four pallets counterchanged, overall a bezant charged with a balance Sable within a bordure compony Argent and Gules, on a chief Or a pen nib between two lyres Sable; SymbolismThe gold disc and the scales of justice represent the Supreme Court of Canada, of which the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin has been Chief Justice for more than 15 years. The red segments of the border of the disc represent the nine judges of the Court, the disc and its border symbolizing the collegial aspect of the work of the Court. The background of white and red stripes alludes to the rulings made by the Court, as if compiled in bound volumes on a shelf. Red and white are the colours of Canada and those of the robes trimmed with Canadian mink that the judges wear during official ceremonies. The pen nib symbolizes both Ms. McLachlin’s work in writing legal decisions and her personal writing which she does as a hobby. It also honours the memory of her mother Eleanora Kruschell, who was similarly interested in writing. The lyres symbolize the universal beauty of music and the important role it plays in the daily life of Ms. McLachlin. |
CrestBlazonA great horned owl proper perched on a pair of pincers fesswise Or set on a hockey stick proper; SymbolismA symbol of wisdom and vigilance, the great horned owl is both the official bird of Alberta, the birth province of Ms. McLachlin, and the crest of the arms of the University of Alberta, her alma mater. The owl and the trees in the compartment refer to her late husband Rory McLachlin, who was keenly interested in ornithology and studied forestry. The pincers on which it stands indicate her love for her home town, Pincher Creek, in Alberta, which uses such a device as its emblem. The hockey stick refers to her husband Frank McArdle, who played semi-professional hockey in his youth for the Quebec Aces. |
MottoBlazonWISDOM • COMPASSION • JUSTICE; SymbolismNot applicable. |
SupportersBlazonTwo Labrador retrievers Sable each gorged of a collar compony Argent and Sable pendent therefrom a closed book Or charged with a livestock brand composed of the letter E and the letter G contourné both ensigned by a quarter arc embowed Gules, and standing on a rocky mount set with Pacific dogwood flowers and pine trees proper, all above barry wavy Argent and Gules; SymbolismThe black Labrador retriever is Ms. McLachlin’s family pet. The pattern on the collar is an allusion to keys of a piano and thus symbolizes music. The books repeat the symbolism of the pen nib in the arms. The marks on the books are the registered livestock brand of the family ranch. They honour the memory and work of Ms. McLachlin’s father Ernest Gietz, a rancher and farmer. The base represents British Columbia, a province dear to Ms. McLachlin, who worked there for many years. The trees also refer to her late husband Rory McLachlin, who studied forestry. |
Differenced Arms for Angus McLachlin, son of Beverley Marian McLachlinBlazonThe Arms of Beverley Marian McLachlin debruised of a three-point label Argent during his mother’s lifetime, This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following her death; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 25, 2017 in Volume 151, page 1303 of the Canada Gazette.    |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterCatherine Fitzpatrick CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeIndividual |