Ensigns Armorial.

Quebec is the senior Province of Canada, both from the point of view of antiquity of origin and continuity of settlement. During the French regime which lasted until 1759, no arms peculiar to New France - as it was then called - were assigned. Indeed, it was not until 1868 that particular arms of public authority were adopted for the recently created Province of Quebec; the blazon of these arms being:

JE ME SOUVIENS

Or, on a fess Gules, between two fleurs-de-lis in chief Azure, and a sprig of three leaves of maple slipped Vert in base, a lion passant guardant Gold.

By Royal Warrant 26th May 1868

The blue fleurs-de-lis attest the French origin as well as the original name of this area: New France. The gold lion on the red fess is from the arms of dominion and sovereignty of the grantor; while the sprig of maple leaves indicates membership in the new federal state which Quebec helped, in great measure, to form in 1867.In 1939 the Provincial arms were re-designed so that the blazon now reads:

Per fess Azure and Or, on a fess Gules a lion passant guardant of the second, between in chief three fleurs-de-lis of the same, and in base a sugar maple sprig with three leaves Vert, veined also Gold.

 Provincial Order of 9th December 1939

Since that date, it is this version which has been borne. The manner in which this change was brought about was curious, however, as it was attempted by a Provincial Order-of-the-Governor-in-Council. Nevertheless, as the regulation of all matters heraldic belongs to the Royal Prerogative, this action of the Provincial Government of Quebec has placed the revised arms in an anomalous position. There is little doubt that the Sovereign would be pleased to assign the new version of the Provincial arms in the usual was by means of a Royal Warrant should a request for an exercise of the Royal Prerogative would be made; but until such an instrument is issued the 1939 arms will remain ultra vires. One must hasten to add here, that this exceptional situation is obviously the result of inadvertence, and in no way indicates a lack of loyalty on the part of the Quebecois, than whom there are none more devoted to the crown.The motto used in association with either version is JE ME SOUVIENS (I Remember). [1]

Æ See also: Nouvelle France

Police

Sureté Provinciale

Cap badge (obsolete)

The entry about the arms and badge of the Sûreté du Québec in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada is as follows  [2] :

Arms

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

Blazon

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;

Symbolism

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.

Badge

Sûreté du Québec

Montreal, Quebec

Grant of a Badge, Flag and Insignia of Office

March 15, 2005

Vol. IV, p. 472

Blazon

Badge: 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;

Motto: SERVICE INTÉGRITÉ JUSTICE;

Flag: Vert on a Canadian pale Or the Badge and the Motto of the Sûreté du Québec;

Badge: Insignia of Office for the Assistant Directors General: Two batons in saltire charged with fleurs-de-lis and resting on two oak leaves Or;

Badge: Insignia of office of the Director General: A baton fesswise Argent enwreathed with oak leaves, inscribed 1870 and resting on two oak leaves Or;

Symbolism

Badge: The fleur-de-lis, present on the flag and provincial arms, was originally an emblem of France. It is used to identify Government of Quebec agencies. The oak tree is a symbol of power and strength, robustness and resistance.

Motto: Meaning “Service integrity justice,” the Motto 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.

Flag: Green and yellow are the official colours of the Sûreté du Québec. The flag includes the badge and motto of the Sûreté.

Badge: Insignia of Office for the Assistant Directors General: Similar to the Director General’s insignia, this insignia includes two batons, ornamented with fleurs-de-lis, specifically created for Assistant Directors General.

Badge: Insignia of office of the Director General: The two oak leaves repeat one of the themes from the badge of the Sûreté du Québec. The Director General’s baton, a symbol of his or her authority, is also ornamented with oak leaves. It is used exclusively by the Director General during official ceremonies.

Æ View all Letters Patent for Sûreté du Québec