- 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.
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Whistler, British Columbia
Grant of Arms and Supporters
January 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 581
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per pale Argent and Vert to the dexter two pallets wavy Azure, to the sinister two pallets wavy Argent, a chief dancetty per pale Azure and Argent;
Crest
On a rock set with moss a grey jay close holding in its dexter claw a lupin proper;
Supporters
Dexter a black bear sinister a hoary marmot each holding a ski and standing on a rocky mount proper issuant from barry wavy Argent and Azure charged with a trout naiant and between grass set with bunchberries and skunk cabbage proper;
Motto
VALLEY OF DREAMS;
Symbolism
Arms
The two peaks refer to the two local mountains, Blackcomb and Whistler. The wavy stripes refer to ski/snowboard tracks, mountain bike trails and hiking trails on the mountains. The vertical division of the shield alludes to the fact that Whistler is both a winter and a summer resort.
Crest
The whiskey jack is a local bird known for its friendliness to humans. The lupine is a colourful local flower, and the rock alludes to the mountains.
Supporters
The black bear and the hoary (or “whistling”) marmot are local animals, the latter being the source of the municipality’s name. The skis allude to the winter sports for which Whistler is famous. The rock represents the mountain and the grass and local plants represent the valley. The water and trout refer to local streams, ponds, lakes and the fact that Whistler began as a summer fishing lodge.
Motto
This phrase recognizes Whistler’s valley location as well as the fact that Whistler was built on a dream of hosting the Olympics.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on October 22, 2016, in Volume 150, page 3149 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government