Great Seal of Ontario

The Great Seal of Ontario is a seal used to authenticate documents issued by the government of Ontario that are released in the name of the Queen in Right of Ontario, including the appointment of the Executive Council and Ministers (the Cabinet).

Design

In the centre of the Great Seal is the crest from the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom (representing link to Britain) and surmounded by a St. Edward's Crown. Several borders surround these symbols, including the words The Seal of the Province of Ontario (English only).

In Architecture

A sculpture of the Great Seal is carved above the main entrance to the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park.

History

The seal has been used since January 1, 1870 following the appointment through a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria.^[1]

The seal replaces the Great Seal of the Province of Canada, used from 1841 to 1867, under 136th clause of the British North America Act.^[2]

Keeper

The keeper of the Great Seal is the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, but it is kept with the Attorney General of Ontario.

Gallery

• 

  Great Seal of Upper Canada (right)

See also

• Symbols of Ontario
• Monarchy in Ontario
• Great Seal of Quebec
• Great Seal of Canada
• Great Seal of Lower Canada - used from 1793 to 1841^[3]
• Great Seal of Upper Canada - used from 1792 to 1841^[4]

References

• Emblems and Symbols of Ontario

Great Seal of Canada (by province or territory) Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Northwest Territories Nunavut Yukon Book Category Portal WikiProject