- The Governor General of Canada
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Sûreté du Québec
Montreal, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Shields of Office and Shields for the major branches
March 15, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 473
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Shield of Office for the Director General of the Sûreté du Québec
Argent the Insignia of the Director General (A baton fesswise enwreathed with oak leaves, inscribed 1870 and resting on two oak leaves) Or, a chief of the Sûreté du Québec (Chequy Vert and Or, a fleur-de-lis Argent);
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate
Azure, the Insignia of an Assistant Director General (Two batons in saltire charged with fleurs-de-lis and resting on two oak leaves) Argent, a chief of the Sûreté du Québec;
Arms
Chequy Vert and Or, a fleur-de-lis Argent;
Crest
A snowy owl rising affronty proper;
Supporters
Two moose proper, that to the dexter supporting the Flag of the Province of Quebec (Azure a cross between four fleurs-de-lis Argent), that to the sinister supporting the Flag of the Sûreté du Québec (Vert on a Canadian pale Or, the Badge of the Sûreté du Québec, vis, On a hurt a fleur-de-lis Argent all within an annulus Or inscribed SÛRETÉ DU QUÉBEC and POLICE in letters Sable, encircled by a wreath of oak leaves Or, above the Motto of the Sûreté du Québec), the supporters standing on a grassy mound set with birch and oak branches proper fructed Or;
Motto
SERVICE INTÉGRITÉ JUSTICE;
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Criminal Investigations General Directorate
Gules, the Insignia of an Assistant Director General (Two batons in saltire charged with fleurs-de-lis and resting on two oak leaves) Argent, a chief of the Sûreté du Québec;
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Institutional Affairs General Directorate
Vert, the Insignia of an Assistant Director General (Two batons in saltire charged with fleurs-de-lis and resting on two oak leaves) Argent, a chief of the Sûreté du Québec;
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Administration General Directorate
Or, the Insignia of an Assistant Director General (Two batons in saltire charged with fleurs-de-lis and resting on two oak leaves) Argent, a chief of the Sûreté du Québec;
Shield for the Senior Executive Committee of the Sûreté du Québec
The Arms of the Sûreté du Québec within a bordure Argent;
Shield for the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The shield of Arms of the Sûreté du Québec within a bordure Azure;
Shield for the Criminal Investigations General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The Arms of the Sûreté du Québec within a bordure Gules;
Shield for the Institutional Affairs General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The Arms of the Sûreté du Québec within a bordure Vert;
Shield for the Administration General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The Arms of the Sûreté du Québec within a bordure Or;
Symbolism
Shield of Office for the Director General of the Sûreté du Québec
The white shield identifies the Director General. It includes a “chief” stylized after the arms of the Sûreté, as well as a baton representing authority, adopted by the Sûreté du Québec in 1983.
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate
The blue shield identifies the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate. Shields of Office were created for each Assistant Director General. They include a “chief” stylized after the arms of the Sûreté, as well as specific colours and batons.
Arms
The chequy covering of the entire surface of the shield is a powerful, striking symbol. The check pattern and right-angled divisions symbolize order and authority. Alternating the colours symbolizes constancy and planning. The check pattern also conveys the ideas of systematic surveillance and territorial protection. The fleur de lis, a central feature of the Sûreté’s emblem adopted in 1983, refers to the fleurs-de-lis on the Quebec flag and the iris versicolor, which has been Quebec’s floral emblem since 1999.
Crest
The snowy owl, Quebec’s avian symbol since 1987, symbolizes the conservation of resources and the concern of Quebeckers for their environment and quality of life. It symbolizes the whiteness of Quebec winters, the settling in a semi northern climate, and the vast expanse of the territory. It represents the virtues of vigilance, observation and protection.
Supporters
The moose, king of Quebec’s forests, symbolizes pride and righteousness and commands respect. Found in abundance in Abitibi, the moose refers to the establishment of the first regional Sûreté post. It also symbolizes the legislated role of all Sûreté du Québec officers to act as wildlife officers. The oak leaves have been part of the Sûreté’s emblem since 1983, and the yellow birch has been Quebec’s official tree since 1999.
Motto
SERVICE INTÉGRITÉ JUSTICE, meaning “Service integrity justice,” was adopted by the Sûreté du Québec in 1983. SERVICE characterizes the desire to serve the public and continuously meet the expectations of Quebeckers. INTÉGRITÉ suggests that police officers must be exemplary in the performance of their duties. JUSTICE refers to the Sûreté’s legislative mandate.
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Criminal Investigations General Directorate
The red shield identifies the Criminal Investigations General Directorate. Shields were created for each Assistant Director General. They includes a “chief” stylized after the arms of the Sûreté, as well as specific colours and batons.
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Institutional Affairs General Directorate
The green shield identifies the Institutional Affairs General Directorate. Shields were created for each Assistant Director General. They include a “chief” stylized after the arms of the Sûreté, as well as specific colours and batons.
Shield of Office for the Assistant Director General of the Administration General Directorate
The yellow shield identifies the Administration General Directorate. Shields were created for each Assistant Director General. They include a “chief” stylized after the arms of the Sûreté, as well as specific colours and batons.
Shield for the Senior Executive Committee of the Sûreté du Québec
The white bordure identifies the Senior Executive Committee.
Shield for the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The blue bordure identifies the Geographic Surveillance General Directorate.
Shield for the Criminal Investigations General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The red bordure identifies the Criminal Investigations General Directorate.
Shield for the Institutional Affairs General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The green bordure identifies the Institutional Affairs General Directorate.
Shield for the Administration General Directorate of the Sûreté du Québec
The yellow bordure identifies the Administration General Directorate.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on October 29, 2005, in Volume 139, page 3450 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Provincial & Territorial (Agency and other)