- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Edward Richard Schreyer
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Supporters
January 15, 1990
Vol. I, p. 69
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per pale Or and Vert a pale wavy of four Azure and Argent in chief a plate displaying a cross Gules charged with the Royal Crown proper; in dexter base a pomeis charged with a garb Or and in sinister base a bezant charged with a fir tree Vert;
Crest
A mound of ice proper thereon a polar bear statant Argent supporting beneath its dexter paw a plate charged with a maple leaf Gules;
Supporters
Dexter a bison proper charged on the shoulder with a lozenge Or bearing a prairie crocus flower slipped and leaved proper sinister a moose proper charged on the shoulder with a hurt displaying a fleur de lys Or the whole set upon a compartment party per pale a wheatfield Or and a forest Vert;
Motto
FREEDOM · ÉGALITÉ · JUSTICE · ARBEIT · ЗНАННЯ · DIGNITÀ, meaning "Freedom, equality, justice, work, accomplishment, dignity".
Symbolism
Arms
The crown symbolizes Mr. Schreyer’s service as governor general. The St. George’s Cross is taken from the arms of Manitoba. The wavy band represents the provinces. The gold half of the shield and sheaf of wheat represent the southwestern Prairies part of Manitoba, while the green half and fir tree represent the forests in the north and east.
Crest
The polar bear represents Canada’s Arctic region, while the maple leaf is a Canadian symbol.
Supporters
The bison and moose are two animals associated with Manitoba. The prairie lily alludes to the first name of Mr. Schreyer’s wife, Lily. In heraldry, the lozenge is a shape sometimes used for a woman’s coat of arms. The fleur-de-lis represents Beausejour, Manitoba, a predominantly Francophone region where Mr. Schreyer was born. The mount in base represents the province’s major natural features.
Motto
FREEDOM • ÉGALITÉ • JUSTICE • ARBEIT • 3HAHHЯ • DIGNITÀ, meaning “Freedom, equality, justice, work, knowledge, dignity,” are words in the languages spoken by Mr. Schreyer: English, French, German, Ukrainian and Italian.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 27, 1990, in Volume 124, page 273 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Beatty, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Donald Hallman
Calligrapher
Nancy Ellis
Recipient Information
Individual
Governor General