- 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.
In general, there will be no images shown for emblems registered, confirmed or related to Supplementary Letters Patent.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans' Association
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of a Badge
September 15, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 311
Blazon
Badge
A bison's head cabossed proper within a strap Azure buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with the Motto MAINTIENS LE DROIT in letters Or, thereon an Imperial Crown proper above an escrol Azure inscribed CANADA in letters Or, the said strap surrounded by twelve maple leaves Vert, all above escrols Azure edged and inscribed ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE and VETERANS' ASSOCIATION DES ANCIENS in letters Or;
Motto
MAINTIENS LE DROIT;
Symbolism
Badge
The Royal Crown, the maple leaves and scroll with “Canada” represent service to Canada of this police force created to uphold the Crown’s peace, and have been present, together with the bison’s head, from the first use of the badge, c. 1876. The crown also relates to the permission given by King Edward VII in 1904 to use the word “Royal” in the force’s name, and to signify that the reigning monarch is the Honorary Commissioner. The bison alludes to the prairie grasslands where the police force performed their first duties, the early members of the police force depending on the animals for food, fuel, and clothing. Royal blue is a colour traditionally associated with police forces.
Motto
This French phrase means “uphold the right”, or alternately, “maintain the right” and “defend the law”. In a slightly different form (“Maintien le droit”), this motto was previously used by the Grand Trunk Railway Regiment from c. 1866 to 1881, and later by the North-West Mounted Police.
Background
In general, there will be no images shown for emblems registered, confirmed or related to Supplementary Letters Patent.
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 12, 2005, in Volume 139, page 686 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Not applicable
Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Community Service Organization
The recipient's emblems were originally recorded in the records of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Scotland.