Arms of Thomas Ross Anthony Malcolm

Blazon

Argent on a saltire per pale Gules and Azure three chain links interlaced fessways Or, between in chief a heron's head erased Gules and in base a heron's head erased Azure, and in the flanks two dirks points in base, that to the dexter Azure, that to the sinister Gules;

Symbolism

The use of the saltire is taken from the arms of the Chief of the clan Malcolm, who uses a blue saltire on white. As the St. Andrew's cross, found on the national flag of Scotland, is a saltire, it also refers to Mr. Malcolm's interest in Scottish heritage, especially his involvement in the St. Andrew's Society of Montreal for over five decades, including his term as President from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Malcolm is also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. The X shape also represents his grandfather's work in forging and establishing railways in the Maritime provinces and the northeastern United States. The chain links are adapted from the emblem (designed by Mr. Malcolm) of the Council for Canadian Unity, which Mr. Malcolm founded in 1964, and on which he subsequently served as President and then as Chairman until 1974 when he was named to its Board of Governors. The manner in which they link the red and the blue of the saltire refers to the goals of the Council, linking Canada (the colours of which are red and white) and Quebec (the colours of which are blue and white). The blue also refers to the St. Andrew's Society, and the red to the Anglican Church of Canada, the Quebec Liberal Party and the Liberal Party of Canada. These are bodies in which Mr. Malcolm and others in his family have been particularly active, one having served in the Laurier government. Several bishops in the Anglican Church were members of Mr. Malcolm's family. The herons' heads are a reference to Mr. Malcolm's maternal heritage, the heron being the major charge on the arms of de Pencier (originally von Pincier), his mother's family. The dirks further indicate his Scottish heritage; as swords are sometimes used as symbols of justice, they also represent his legal profession; as a weapon, they also represent the military service of Mr. Malcolm's family during two world wars. These symbols are depicted in red and blue colours to balance the colour composition of the shield.