- The Governor General of Canada
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Rideau Club
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flags and Badge
August 30, 2000
Vol. IV, p. 41
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Blazon
Arms
Azure a chevron Or surmounting a pale retrait in base Argent overall a plate charged with a maple leaf Gules and ensigned by the Royal Crown Or;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet erablé a phoenix Or rising from flames Gules;
Supporters
On a grassy mound Vert set with trillium flowers and lilies Argent seeded Or leaved Vert dexter a lion Or armed langued and gorged with a collar erablé Gules sinister an ermine Argent the tip of its tail Sable gorged with a like collar;
Motto
SAVOIR FAIRE • SAVOIR VIVRE;
Symbolism
Arms
The blue shield recalls the Rideau River, and the gold chevron is a visual metaphor for the club and the “shelter” found under its roof. The white segment to the Rideau Falls: the rideau blanc (white curtain) as first described by Samuel de Champlain. The white disc represents a round table, emblematic of the sociability of the Club and the interchange and discussions around tables. The red maple leaf is a symbol of Canada and its capital, the Club’s site. The Royal Crown recalls the Club’s presence in the capital and its historic and continuing allegiance to parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. It also recognizes the long-standing record of Club membership by Canada’s Governors General.
Crest
The crest rises from a maple leaf coronet, representing the varied service to Canada by the Club members. The phoenix refers to the ongoing dynamic spirit of the Club rising from the ashes of the fire that destroyed its historic premises across from Parliament Hill.
Supporters
The trillium flowers and lilies on the compartment are emblematic of the two provinces, Canada East and Canada West (now Quebec and Ontario), which were the homes of the majority of the founders of the Club. By extension, they celebrate the francophone and anglophone partnership which is an original and enduring feature of the Club. The lion is inspired by the arms used by Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada and a founder of the Club in 1865. The ermine comes from the arms of Sir George-Etienne Cartier, another Club co founder. Together they symbolize the pre-Confederation partnership of francophones and anglophones and in establishing the Rideau Club, and the Club's outreach into both communities.
Motto
SAVOIR FAIRE • SAVOIR VIVRE (“To know how to act right • To know how to live right”) is an apt summary of the social philosophy of the Rideau Club: a place for members with shared and varied interests to meet for good talk, good food, and good fellowship. Discussions and the interchange of ideas are fostered by this friendly interaction among members, who, through their personal and professional activities, contribute to the well-being of the nation in its capital.