- 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.
Labatt Brewing Company Limited
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
June 15, 2017
Vol. VI, p. 731
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or an arrowhead Gules double-fimbriated Argent and Sable between three hops proper;
Crest
A Labatt Streamliner truck affronty proper;
Supporters
On a mount of barley Or issuant from barry wavy Argent and Azure two Budweiser Clydesdale horses each resting its interior hind leg on a beer barrel fesswise proper;
Flag
Or papilloné reversed Argent, adextré Or an arrowhead Gules edged Argent and Sable;
Badge
An octagon Gules voided Argent, overall an arrowhead Gules double-fimbriated Argent and Sable, all surmounting four maple leaves in saltire Or;
Motto
THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND PERSEVERANCE;
Symbolism
Arms
The spearhead, which was Labatt’s main emblem between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, represents the company’s strength and its leadership role in the Canadian brewing industry. The hop, an important flavouring and stability agent in beer, recalls Labatt’s commitment to the values of authenticity, quality and sustainability. The gold colour commemorates the many medals won by Labatt products over the course of its history.
Crest
The iconic all-Canadian Streamliner truck, used for shipping and advertising from the 1930s to the 1950s, is emblematic of Labatt’s bold and innovative character as well as its pride in its heritage.
Supporters
The horses and kegs recall those that the company used until the 20th century to transport its products. The Budweiser Clydesdales also evoke one of its brands, as Labatt has brewed and distributed Budweiser in Canada since 1980. Barley, used in the brewing process, has also been widely used as a symbol in Labatt logos and advertisements for decades. The wavy lines symbolize the water used in the brewing process and the Thames River in London, Ontario, next to which the brewery sits.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The maple leaves around Labatt’s spearhead emblem represent the company’s patriotism.
Motto
This phrase, inspired by the mottoes of John Kinder Labatt’s hometown of Mountmellick, Ireland (“Friendship through partnership”), and the company’s hometown of London, Ontario (“Through labour and perseverance”), highlights two core values which have defined Labatt since 1847.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 31, 2018, in Volume 152, page 896 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Samy Khalid, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Kathy Feig
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Profit Organization