- The Governor General of Canada
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Sylvain Fortin
Terrebonne, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Olivier Fortin and Mathieu Fortin
July 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 402
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Blazon
Arms
Per pale Vert and Or, a castle of one tower issuant from a base barry wavy, in dexter chief a sconce enflamed and in sinister chief a heart, all counterchanged;
Crest
A fox’s mask and two fox cubs’ masks in pairle reversed proper and surmounting a sword Or and a sword Vert in saltire their hilts flory in chief;
Motto
AVEC SAVOIR ET HUMANITÉ;
Symbolism
Arms
Green represents both the name Sylvain—derived from the Latin word silva, meaning “forest”—and summer, Mr. Fortin’s favourite season. Yellow symbolizes enlightenment and, by extension, the knowledge he acquired during his university studies in health law. The bipartite composition evokes the idea of balance: it illustrates that knowledge, represented by the torch, and kindness, represented by the heart, are equally important and should always guide our actions. The torch and the heart also allude to the motto. The fortress refers to the name Fortin while also emphasizing a life dedicated to defending vulnerable people. The wavy lines evoke a moat filled with water that encircles a fortress; the water element pays tribute to Mr. Fortin’s mother, whose name alludes to water.
Crest
For Mr. Fortin, the fox embodies daring and intelligence. The three fox heads represent him and his two sons. The sword symbolizes action, serving as a reminder that any action in support of vulnerable people is akin to a battle against numerous challenges. The hilt resembles the shape of a fleur-de-lis, symbolizing his home province of Quebec.
Motto
This French phrase means “With knowledge and humanity,” underscoring Mr. Fortin’s goal in life to grow by continually expanding his knowledge and sense of humanity.