- 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.
The Corporation of the City of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms and Supporters
September 15, 2022
Vol. VIII, p. 113
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Quarterly Gules and Azure a cross Argent charged with a maple leaf Gules veined Or and between 1st three lions passant guardant in pale Or, 2nd a rose Argent barbed and seeded proper, 3rd a cogwheel Argent, 4th on a base barry wavy Or and Gules the paddle steamer Great Britain under full steam and with pennon and flags flying Or;
Crest
On a mural crown Or a beaver proper;
Supporters
Dexter a Mississauga First Nations man habited, accoutred and holding a bow, sinister the figure of Britannia proper;
Motto
INDUSTRY · INTELLIGENCE · INTEGRITY;
Symbolism
Arms
The three lions are taken from the coat of arms of England. The white rose of York, in England, represents Toronto’s previous name, the town of York. The cogwheel symbolizes industry, while the Great Britain was a famous steamer that travelled Lake Ontario in the 1830s and therefore represents Toronto’s status as a port city. The maple leaf symbolizes Canada.
Crest
Mural crowns are commonly used in the crests of cities. The beaver is a Canadian symbol.
Supporters
The man represents the Mississauga First Nations, the original inhabitants of the area. The figure of Britannia alludes to the fact that most of the first immigrants to the city were of British ancestry.
Motto
INDUSTRY · INTELLIGENCE · INTEGRITY.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of the College of Arms, London.
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 20 December 1961.