- The Governor General of Canada
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David Charles Onley
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporters
May 15, 2009
Vol. V, p. 448
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Blazon
Arms
Azure on a pile reversed an open book Argent bound and charged with a Latin cross Azure;
Crest
Issuant from a Loyalist civil coronet Azure a phoenix Or issuant from flames proper and holding in its beak a cane Azure;
Supporters
Two eagles wings elevated and addorsed Or each gorged with a coronet erablé Azure and standing on a grassy mount Vert set with three apples Gules slipped Or;
Motto
PER ARDUA AD ALTA;
Symbolism
Arms
The triangle represents the bow wave of a rising space shuttle, alluding to the image of the front cover of His Honour’s book Shuttle (1981), and thus to his interest in aerospace. The book and cross speak to Their Honours’ Christian faith as a foundation of their lives.
Crest
The phoenix represents the Christian ideas of suffering and resurrection. The phoenix amid flames is also a traditional crest associated with Onley arms in England. The cane alludes to His Honour’s work in being a champion for people with visible and non-visible disabilities. The Loyalist coronet represents Their Honours’ identification with ancestors who supported the Crown.
Supporters
The eagles allude to the fathers of Their Honours, each of whom served oversees in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. The coronet speaks to a Canadian identity. The apples connect to Her Honour’s family, her father having been an apple grower. They also represent Their Honours’ three sons.
Motto
This Latin phrase, meaning “Through difficulties to the heights,” alludes to the spirit of overcoming challenges to fulfill one’s potential.