- 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.
Sûreté du Québec
Montréal, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Flag for use by the Groupe tactique d'intervention
February 15, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 106
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or an eagle stooping clutching a sword proper, in chief an asterisk Gules within crosshairs Sable;
Flag
Gules the Badge of the Sûreté du Québec (as granted by the Chief Herald of Canada on 15 March 2005), a canton of the Arms;
Symbolism
Arms
The shield is based on the emblem used for many years by the Groupe tactique d’intervention. The eagle, with its outspread wings, is a symbol of courage and agility. It represents rapid reaction by air and land. The sword is a symbol of conquest that ensures peace and justice. The crosshair refers to the precision required for the successful use of firepower in tactical interventions. The asterisk commemorates Marcel Lemay and the sacrifices made by members of the group since its foundation in 1981. The asterisk plus the branches of the crosshairs allude to the universal symbol for intervention groups, 1*, a homophone for “One has to risk”.
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 November 3, 2012, in Volume 146, page 3052 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Provincial & Territorial (Agency and other)