Province of Quebec

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.

Québec, Quebec
Registration of Arms and Flag
October 15, 2010
Vol. VI, p. 3

Arms of the Province of Quebec
Arms of the Province of Quebec
Flag of the Province of Quebec
 
Arms of the Province of Quebec

Arms of the Province of Quebec

Blazon

Tierced in fess, Azure three fleurs-de-lis Or, Gules a lion passant guardant, and Or a sprig of three maple leaves Vert;

Symbolism

The design follows that created in 1868, with an alteration to the number of fleurs-de-lis and the reversal of the colours in the chief. At the time of the creation of this design, the government of Quebec attributed each part of the arms to a different historical period: the French regime represented by the fleurs-de-lis; the British regime represented by the lion; and the Canadian period represented by the maple leaves. The arms have traditionally been shown ensigned by the Royal Crown.

Motto

Blazon

JE ME SOUVIENS;

Symbolism

Meaning “I remember”, this phrase was first used with the arms of Quebec in 1883 in a stone carving on the façade of the Parliament Building in Québec City designed by the architect Eugène-Étienne Taché.
Flag of the Province of Quebec

Flag of the Province of Quebec

Blazon

Azure a cross between four fleurs-de-lis Argent;

Symbolism

The design is based on popular flags in use in Quebec in the first half of the 20th century, the first of which was designed by Father Elphège Filiatrault in 1902. The white fleurs-de-lis (originally shown diagonally) were based on those shown in the drapeau de Carillon, a religious banner used by French troops in 1758. The white cross on blue was used in naval flags of the Kingdom of France.
 

Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the letters patent was made on November 12, 2011 in Volume 145, page 3514 of the Canada Gazette.

Letters patent registering the heraldic emblems of the Province of Quebec

Additional Information

Creator(s)

Original concepts of Maurice Brodeur (Arms), Eugène-Étienne Taché (Motto) and the Government of Quebec (Flag).

Painter

Not available

Calligrapher

Not applicable

Recipient Type

Civil Institution
Provincial & Territorial (General)

Other Information

The arms were adopted by Order-in-Council 2895 of the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, 7 December 1939.

The flag was adopted by An Act Respecting the Official Flag of the Province (S.Q. 14 George VI, c. 3), assented 9 March 1950.
View all letters patent