The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
  2. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette
Heraldry Today


Outaouais Herald Emeritus, Canadian Heraldic Authority

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of a Badge of Office
March 28, 2000
Vol. IV, p. 25




On a pomme three inescutcheons Argent the bases pointing inwards;



Green is the dominant colour because it perfectly evokes the Outaouais region, known for its many green spaces and its tremendous natural beauty. The three identical shields recall the history and geography associated with the name Outaouais. From a historical standpoint, they hark back to a tradition of the Outaouais, shared by the Objibway and the Potawatomi, whereby these three groups formed a single tribe at one point. From a geographic standpoint, they refer to the Outaouais, the Rideau and the Gatineau Rivers which were the first routes used by explorers to access the territory. Furthermore, the three shields represent the three main divisions of time: past, present and future. The fact that the shields are identical conveys the idea that these divisions of time have equal importance in the life of an individual.


Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on February 22, 2003, in Volume 136, page 517 of the Canada Gazette.

Artist Information

Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, Claire Boudreau, Saint-Laurent Herald, and Cathy Sabourin, Fraser Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Cathy Bursey-Sabourin

Judith Bainbridge

Recipient Information

Civil Institution
National (Officer)