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.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Registration of Arms, Supporters and Badge
July 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 398
Arms of the City of Thunder BayBlazonAzure a castle irradiated, its portcullis raised Or, issuant from three bars wavy, on a chief Argent a birchbark canoe therein a European man and seven Canadian voyageurs the latter with their paddles in action proper, in the stern a flag Gules inscribed NW in letters Or; SymbolismThe Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The castle emerging from waves is taken from the historic arms of Port Arthur, which merged with Fort William to create the City of Thunder Bay in 1970. The gateway reflects Port Arthur’s historical role as the eastern terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, while the water alludes to the fact that it was a port city that also served as a major transshipment location for the Great Lakes. The canoe is taken from the arms of Fort William and uses elements from an attributed coat of arms for the North West Company, a notable fur-trading enterprise, and the arms granted to William McGillivray, the city’s namesake and the last chief partner of the Company. |
CrestBlazonA beaver gnawing at the trunk of a pine tree proper the branches thereof enfiled by a scroll Argent bearing the word PERSEVERANCE in letters Gules, all issuant from a mural crown proper; SymbolismThis is the crest granted to the City of Fort William, which used the beaver, tree and scroll with the word “Perseverance” from the crest of William McGillivray. The mural crown is often used to identify a municipality. |
MottoBlazonTHE GATEWAY TO THE WEST; SymbolismThis phrase alludes to the symbolism of the Arms. |
SupportersBlazonDexter a voyageur holding a paddle proper his foot resting on a garb fesswise Or, sinister a moose proper gorged with a collar Argent charged with a fleur-de-lis Gules between two fleurs-de-lis Azure resting its hind leg on a salmon, both standing on a representation of the Sleeping Giant mountain proper; SymbolismThe Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The voyageur is one of the supporters of the arms of Fort William and likely alludes to the city’s history as one of the starting points of the canoe routes to Western Canada, as well as to its status as a fur trading post in the early 19th century. The moose is one of the supporters of the arms of Port Arthur and alludes to the forests and wildlife that surround the area. Its white collar bearing red and blue fleurs-de-lis is based on the label on the coat of arms of the Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, after whom the former city of Port Arthur was named. The wheat symbolizes the area’s importance to the grain trade in Canada as the location for numerous silos for the Canadian Pacific and Canadian Northern railways. The salmon possibly refers to the former Port Arthur Hatchery and to the area’s tradition of sport fishing. |
Badge of the City of Thunder BayBlazonA thunderbolt Or on a fountain all within a wreath of pine cones slipped proper; SymbolismThe thunderbolt and the waves make a pun on the name Thunder Bay. The pine cones repeat the symbolism of the Supporters. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationSince 2023, grants, registrations and approvals of heraldic emblems are no longer announced in the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of the College of Arms, London. PainterArtist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres CalligrapherNot applicable Recipient TypeCivil Institution Other InformationThe recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 25 August 1970. |