- The Governor General of Canada
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Douglas Graeme Bassett
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges
July 15, 2009
Vol. V, p. 462
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or five batons between five lightning flashes meeting in fess point, on a chief Vert three lilies Or;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet of maple leaves and trillium flowers Vert, a demi-Basset hound proper its dexter forepaw resting on a key wards in chief Or;
Motto
CURARE ET SERVIRE;
Badge
An escallop Or charged with a lily Azure;
Badge
Two batons in saltire Gules surmounted by an escallop Or;
Flag
A Standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Vert charged with the Crest between the two Badges all separated by two bends Argent inscribed with the Motto in letters Azure;
Symbolism
Arms
The colours yellow and green are those of Ontario which is the province of Mr. Bassett’s birthplace and principal residence, and of his major community contributions. The five batons refer both to his company name, Baton Broadcasting Inc., and to the people in his immediate family. The lightning flashes symbolize communication. The lily is the favourite flower of his wife, Susan Juliet Temple.
Crest
The dog, a Basset hound, is a pun on Mr. Bassett’s surname while the key is a symbol that appears in the coat of arms of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, an institution to which Mr. Bassett has offered a high level of support for many years. The key represents unlocking of treasure and especially of ideas, as facilitated by modern communications technology. The coronet represents his contribution to Ontario and Canada.
Motto
Meaning “To care and to serve,” this is derived from the motto of the Hospital for Sick Children, “Care for what the child may become”. It represents Mr. Bassett’s various initiatives in support of betterment of the community.
Badge
The escallop represents the name Graeme, a form of Graham whose arms include escallops. The gold alludes to one of the traditional Basset arms, which are gold and red. The lily refers to the arms.
Badge
The escallop represents the name Graeme, a form of Graham whose arms include escallops. The gold alludes to one of the traditional Basset arms, which are gold and red. The two batons refer to the arms.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on December 12, 2009, in Volume 143, page 3682 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Watt, Rideau Herald Emeritus, and Roger Lindsay, Rouge Herald Extraordinary, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual