The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 17, 2018, in Volume 152, page 3860 of the Canada Gazette.
Granted
2018
Crest
A balance its pivot a ship’s wheel Or, issuant from a coronet of maple leaves Gules and treble clefs, its rim Azure.
Escutcheon
Tierced in pairle reversed Azure, Gules and Argent, in chief two closed books Or edged Argent, in base a ship Azure of three sails Azure charged with a mullet Or, Argent and Gules.
Supporters
Two blue jays standing on a mount of mayflowers proper
Motto
DONNER LE MEILLEUR DE SOI
Symbolism
The colours are taken from the Acadian flag, His Honour being the first Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia of Acadian descent and the first francophone since 1713. The ship’s sails are in the form of the Acadian flag. The ship honours His Honour’s mariner ancestors, and is also a symbol of Acadia and of New Brunswick, the birthplace of Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc. The books symbolize Their Honours’ commitment to education and the arts.
The balance is a symbol of justice and refers to His Honour’s career as a lawyer and a judge. The ship’s wheel connects the design to the ship in the arms. The maple leaves allude to his service to Canada, and the treble clefs indicate Their Honours’ support for the arts.
The blue jay is a local bird species. The mayflowers are the provincial flower of Nova Scotia.
References
^ abcde"Biographical Notes". Prime Minister of Canada's Office. June 14, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2012.