Canadian Heraldic Authority

Argent on a maple leaf Gules an inescutcheon Argent;

The nature and work of the Authority itself are represented in the shield of arms, on which Canada’s red maple leaf bears a plain white shield as a sign of heraldry to be created and recorded for Canadians.

For the Chief Herald of Canada: Gules an inescutcheon Argent charged with a maple leaf Gules and ensigned by a coronet érablé Argent the rim set with twelve jewels Gules (six visible);

For the Chief Herald of Canada: Red and white are the colours of Canada. The shield bearing a maple leaf is emblematic of Canadian heraldry, while the maple leaf coronet indicates that the granting of arms is a power exercised on behalf of the Crown.

For the Deputy Herald Chancellor: Gules a maple tree eradicated within a bordure Argent;

For the Deputy Herald Chancellor: The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

For the Herald Chancellor: Gules a maple tree eradicated Or;

For the Herald Chancellor: As well as being a national emblem, the maple tree represents the predominant species on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official site of the Authority.

For Saint-Laurent Herald: A cross flory Azure surmounting a grid Or enflamed proper;

For Saint-Laurent Herald: The gridiron symbol of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence, the namesake of Eastern Canada's greatest and most historic river, is shown enflamed beneath a blue cross, the ends of which terminate in fleurs-de-lis, symbol of Royal France, New France and Quebec.

For the Athabaska Herald: A wild rose Gules seeded Or surmounting two Athapascan copper knives in saltire Or bound Sable;

For Athabaska Herald: The Wild Rose, floral emblem of the province of Alberta, is placed over two traditional Athapascan copper knives, honouring this native linguistic group and the great river and region of Northwestern Canada, which share various spellings of this name.

For the Fraser Herald: A sun in splendour the disk barry wavy Azure and Or charged with fraise Argent the straight rays Or the wavy Azure;

For Fraser Herald: The badge combines symbolism of the sun and water, indicating that the Fraser River is the most important river in British Columbia, which features a sun on its provincial arms. Traditionally, water is depicted in heraldry by white and blue wavy stripes, and the substitution here of gold for white makes a reference to the gold deposits in the Fraser River, which led to the Cariboo gold rush. At the centre of the badge is a cinquefoil, a stylized heraldic flower of five petals. As this is a feature of coats of arms within the Scottish Clan Fraser, it pays tribute to the river's namesake, the explorer Simon Fraser.