The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

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.

Bruce Maxwell Hicks

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
May 18, 1995
Vol. III, p. 60

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Arms

Or on a cross Purpure a coronet erablé Or between in pale two eagles Or armed and beaked Gules and in fess two lions passant guardant Or armed and langued Gules;

Crest

Issuant from a circlet of wild roses proper alternating with fleurs-de-lys Argent a demi grizzly bear Purpure holding in the dexter forepaw a mace the finial winged and surmounted by a maple leaf Or;

Motto

EQUALITY THROUGH ACTION;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

A grizzly bear's head erased Purpure gorged with a wreath of maple leaves Or;


Symbolism

Arms

The colours of the shield are based on the Arms of Mr. Hicks’ mother, Sidney Hicks. The cross alludes to the arms of Montreal and Ottawa, and refers to the two cities Mr. Hicks has called home. The lions and eagles are another reference to the main elements of Sidney Hicks’ arms, and they honour the Gidney and Bruce families, Mr. Hicks’ maternal heritage. The maple leaf coronet is a reference to his interest in Parliament and parliamentary democracy.

Crest

The alternating wild roses and fleurs-de-lis refer to Mr. Hicks’ birthplace, Alberta, and his work in Quebec. The grizzly bear also honours Alberta. It is an animal that holds special significance to Mr. Hicks and is a symbol of powerful determination. The mace symbolizes Mr. Hicks’ decades of involvement with Parliament and has been made distinctive to him with the addition of an eagle for his maternal grandfather Gidney and the maple leaf for Canada.

Motto

EQUALITY THROUGH ACTION;

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

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 November 23, 1996, in Volume 130, page 3278 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Hicks and Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority

Painter
David Farrar

Calligrapher
Judith Bainbridge


Recipient Information

Individual