- The Governor General of Canada
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Pierre Luc Joncas
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Anne Elizabeth Joncas and Auguste Alcide Joncas
December 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 243
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Blazon
Arms
Per fess Argent and Or on a fess nowy Gules a Latin cross Argent between two escallops Or;
Crest
A peregrine falcon rising guardant proper gorged of a bow tie Gules and holding in its claw a bouquet of fireweed proper;
Motto
LUX IN TENEBRIS;
Symbolism
Arms
Gold and white, the emblematic colours of the Vatican, express Mr. Joncas’s deference to the Holy See. The cross represents his Catholic faith. Its form with an elongated foot alludes to the Cross of Gaspé, a granite cross commemorating Jacques Cartier’s first voyage up the St. Lawrence River. The white arch recalls Percé Rock in Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, the region where Mr. Joncas was born. The shells are found in the coat of arms of Laval University, where he studied. They also represent the waterways near which he has always lived. The base of the shield echoes the motto in its luminous colour, while its curved upper edge suggests a pedestal bending under a weight, thus embodying Mr. Joncas’s ability and willingness to carry the burdens of others in order to help them.
Crest
For Mr. Joncas, the peregrine falcon is a symbol of universality, as it can be found on every inhabited continent. It also represents the fragility of our world and the need to protect it, as the species owes its survival to conservation programs put in place to save it. Conversely, the fireweed symbolizes the strength of life, as this robust plant thrives in ravaged areas. This flower can be found in fields throughout Quebec and is a favourite of Mr. Joncas’s. Finally, the bow tie emphasizes his fondness for such accessories and, by extension, his attention to detail.
Motto
This Latin phrase meaning “Light in darkness” conveys Mr. Joncas’s belief that life is never completely dark.