Supreme Court of Canada

Gules on a Canadian pale Argent a lozenge lozengy Gules and Argent charged with maple leaves alternately Or and Gules;

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

A plate charged with two pallets Gules, overall a lozenge lozengy Gules and Argent charged with maple leaves alternately Or and Gules, all within an annulus Argent edged Or inscribed LA COUR SUPRÊME • THE SUPREME COURT and CANADA in letters Sable, ensigned by the Royal Crown Or jewelled and its cap Gules lined Ermine and environed by a laurel wreath Or fructed Gules;

(new emblem) The round shape represents harmony and collegiality. The white background conveys the ideal of transparency and accessibility in the court system. Red and white are emblematic of Canada, while gold symbolizes excellence. The vertical red stripes, representing parallel paths and the idea of uninterrupted movement, indicate that the Court is responsible for applying the law in the two juridical traditions of the country – common law and civil law – and that it is a bilingual institution, working in both English and French. Recalling the notion of mutual respect represented by two-row wampum belts, these stripes also symbolize the important contributions of Canada’s First Nations to the evolution of Canadian society and law. The large diamond and its pattern of lozenges represent the Court of nine judges and the central role it plays as the country’s court of final appeal and as the guarantor of the Constitution and the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.

A monogram composed of the letters S and C Gules fimbriated and within an annulus Or charged with a laurel wreath Vert fructed Gules;

(historic emblem) The “Cormier Emblem,” created by the distinguished Montréal architect Ernest Cormier who designed the Supreme Court building in Ottawa, is embedded in the marble floor of its grand hall. It shows two stylized capital letters, S and C, for “Supreme Court,” and laurels, typical of judicial symbolism.