- 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.
Toronto Emergency Medical Services
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of a Flag and Badge
May 10, 2004
Vol. IV, p. 377
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Badge
On a bezant the star of life Azure, its rod of Aesculapius Or, the end of each limb ensigned by a coronet erablé Gules, the whole within an annulus Azure inscribed TORONTO and EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES in letters Or, encircled by a wreath of maple leaves Or issuant from a trillium flower proper and ensigned by a mural crown Azure charged with a rose Argent between two trillium flowers proper;
Flag
Azure the Badge within a bordure Or;
Symbolism
Badge
The badge follows the pattern of those that have been granted to law enforcement agencies, with appropriate alterations. At the centre is a blue “star of life,” a familiar symbol of paramedical services, on which is the rod of Aesculapius, the symbol of medicine. The maple leaf coronets represent the six municipalities within the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (the Cities of Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and York, and the Borough of East York). These municipalities were amalgamated in 1998 to form the present City of Toronto. The wreath of maple leaves emphasizes the Canadian identity of the Services, the trillium flowers are symbolic of Ontario, and the white rose is a symbol of York, the original name of Toronto. The mural crown at the top indicates that Emergency Medical Services are municipal services, and its blue colour is associated with Toronto.
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 March 12, 2005, in Volume 139, page 688 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, and Bruce Patterson, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Service