- The Governor General of Canada
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Ronald Ian Mackay Rennie
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Grand of Arms, Flag and Badge
October 15, 2007
Vol. V, p. 176
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Blazon
Arms
Per pale Azure and Argent a triangular chief counterchanged;
Crest
A griffin segreant Azure, its dexter claw holding a lightning bolt, its sinister claw resting on a terrestrial globe Argent;
Motto
L’ÊTRE ET NON LE PARAÎTRE;
Symbolism
Arms
The white represents the entire visible electromagnetic spectrum while the blue represents its most energetic part, reflecting the general and the particular together. This is an allusion to Mr. Rennie’s diverse areas of learning and his particular field of expertise. The divisions of the shield represent the conventional circuit symbol for an antenna. This alludes to Mr. Rennie’s involvement in electrical engineering and telecommunications.
Crest
The griffin has been connected with the concept of justice since the time of the ancient Greeks when it was depicted pulling the chariot of Nemesis, the god of divine retribution. The globe represents the international application of law, and the lightning flash symbolizes radio communications. The griffin, globe and bolt thus represent Mr. Rennie’s profession as a barrister and solicitor with experience in international law and a technical background in electrical engineering.
Motto
This means “Not as you seem, but as you are” with the sense of “substance over form”, one of the maxims of the Law of Equity. The motto represents Mr. Rennie’s commitment always to act equitably, and reflects his admiration of francophone culture.