- 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.
Walter Stewart Owen
Victoria, British Columbia
Registration of Arms and Supporters
February 20, 2026
Vol. VIII, p. 473
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a balance set on the point of a sword, on a chief Azure an ancient crown Or between two dogwood flowers proper;
Crest
A bull statant guardant Sable armed unguled and holding a maple leaf in its mouth Or, on a rocky mount proper;
Supporters
Dexter a bighorn ram sinister a wapiti proper each gorged of an ancient crown Or;
Motto
SERVIRE COMMUNITATI;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The scales represent justice and Mr. Owen’s career as a lawyer. The sword likely refers to his service in the Canadian Army during the Second World War. The dogwood flower is the floral emblem of British Columbia, for which Mr. Owen served as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The maple leaf symbolizes Mr. Owen’s Canadian nationality. The rocky base possibly refers to the mountains near Altin and Vancouver, British Columbia, his birthplace and city of residence for much of his career respectively.
Supporters
A bighorn ram and a wapiti are the supporters of the arms of British Columbia. The crowns are taken from the Arms.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “To serve the community.”
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
Individual
Lieutenant-Governor
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 10 October 1974.