- 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 Town of Parry Sound
Parry Sound, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters and Flag
November 15, 2024
Vol. VIII, p. 326
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a trestle bridge Sable issuant from a base barry wavy Azure and Or charged with a fish naiant, in chief a pine tree and a fiddle proper;
Crest
A bald eagle rising from a rocky mount proper;
Supporters
Dexter a white-tailed deer sinister a black bear standing on a grassy mount set with maple leaves and trilliums proper;
Flag
Azure a Canadian pale of the Arms;
Symbolism
Arms
The gold alludes to the nearby Ojibwa village, Wasauksing, meaning “Shining shore.” The trestle bridge is an historic railway bridge crossing the nearby Seguin River and is an iconic sight in the skyline of Parry Sound. The blue wavy bands represent the waters of the Seguin River and Georgian Bay, on whose shores Parry Sound sits. They symbolize the fact that Parry Sound is the deepest freshwater port in Canada. The pine tree is a common feature of the landscape of Georgian Bay and is depicted here as sparse and windswept, a particular effect of the local climate. The fiddle was a traditional form of entertainment among workers in the lumber industry, and it represents both the town’s industrial history and its current promotion of arts and culture, notably the Festival of the Sound chamber music festival. The fish highlights the abundant fishing resources of Georgian Bay and the importance of the sport fishing industry for the town.
Crest
The eagle is a local bird. Here, it is depicted in the same position as the eagle in the Francis Pegahmagabow Monument in Parry Sound. Francis Pegahmagabow, who lived in the neighbouring Wasauksing First Nation, served in the First World War and became the most decorated Indigenous soldier in Canadian military history.
Supporters
The white-tailed deer and black bear are local species. The pine boughs repeat the symbolism of the pine tree in the Arms. The maple leaf represents Canada, and the trillium, Ontario.
Flag
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 Kevin Greaves and Teva Vidal, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Eva Pilar-Cass
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government