Grant Armorial Bearings
On June 4, 1988, the Canadian Heraldic Authority was established. This was made possible by letters patent, signed by Her Majesty, on the advice of her Canadian Privy Council, which authorized and empowered "the Governor General of Canada to exercise or provide for the exercise of all powers and authorities lawfully belonging to Us as Queen of Canada in respect of the granting of armorial bearings in Canada". With these brief historic notes, Canada became the first Commonwealth country to patriate the practice of this ancient authority.
The Governor General's Flag
The governor general's flag is blue with the crest of the Arms of Canada in its centre. A symbol of the sovereignty of Canada, the crest consists of a gold lion wearing the Royal Crown and holding in its right paw a red maple leaf. The lion stands on a wreath of the official colours of Canada.
The flag was approved by Her Majesty The Queen, on February 23, 1981, and it follows the general pattern of the governor general's flag in use since 1931. The governor general's flag takes precedence over all other flags in Canada except The Queen's, and it flies wherever the incumbent governor general is in residence.