- 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.
National Security Centre of Excellence
Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters and Badge
April 20, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 193
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules a chess knight Argent gorged with olive branches Vert, a chief enarched Or fretty Gules;
Crest
A pangolin Or couchant on a grassy mount proper;
Supporters
Dexter a unicorn Argent armed and crined Sable sinister a dapple grey Warlander horse, both standing on a rocky mount proper strewn with olive branches Vert;
Motto
HOCE TUTABIMUR;
Badge
A torteau charged with a chess knight and environed by olive branches Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
Red and white are the colours of Canada, which the Centre is sworn to protect from security risks, while gold symbolizes excellence. The curved chief alludes to an umbrella, showcasing how the centre’s activities protect the country. The interwoven red bands represent the technological measures implemented to protect from cyber-attacks. The knight chess piece, which can strike in unexpected ways on a chessboard, evokes the strategic dimension of the Centre’s advice to Canadian government departments and organizations. The olive branch symbolizes international law.
Crest
The pangolin is an animal that combines defensive and offensive attributes to protect itself from its adversaries, since it is covered with armour-like scales composed of small sharp blades. This represents the Centre’s dual mission of helping Canadian entities to mount suitable defences to external attacks, while also enabling them to proactively counter threats to national security.
Supporters
The unicorn has traditionally been described as a fierce creature that is difficult to catch, while its horn was thought to have protective powers, since it could detect and nullify the effects of poison. This alludes to the Centre’s resolve in defending Canadian interests and enabling Canadian organizations and entities to evade external threats. The Warlander is a horse recognized as one of the closest descendants of the medieval destriers used in warfare. The two supporters thus symbolize the duality of the Centre’s action: defensive (the unicorn) and offensive (the Warlander). The olive branches repeat the symbolism of the Arms.
Motto
This Latin phrase, meaning “This we will protect,” embodies the Centre’s core mission to defend Canada from national security risks.
Badge
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 January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Alix Chartrand, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Non-Profit Organization