Canadian Heraldic Authority - Structure

Structure

The Authority is located at Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General. The Governor General, as the personal representative of the Canadian monarch, is the highest authority in Canadian heraldry. Below the Governor General is the Herald Chancellor, a position held by the Secretary of the Governor General. The Authority is currently organized in an office called the Chancellery of Honours, the same office that issues Canadian orders and decorations, such as the Order of Canada. The Deputy Secretary that administers the Chancellery of Honours is also the Deputy Herald Chancellor.

The Authority itself is headed by the Chief Herald of Canada, whose job is to oversee and direct all operations of the CHA, and bears the main responsibility of granting arms, though the Governor General has the authority to grant arms directly. The position of Chief Herald was inaugurated by Robert Watt at the inception of the CHA in 1988, and held by him until his retirement in 2007. Since 26 June 2007, the office of Chief Herald has been held by Claire Boudreau, formerly Saint-Laurent Herald.