SUSSEX BEGINS PROCESS TO SECURE NEW CREST, SHIELD AND TOWN FLAG

January 24^th, 2023

The town of Sussex has launched a bid to acquire a fresh Coat of Arms, Crest and Flag, following a recent council decision to seek approval from the Canadian Heraldic Authority. To facilitate the application process, the town officials will appoint a committee of citizens to oversee the initiative in collaboration with the Chief Herald of Canada’s office.

The decision to pursue a new town emblem comes as Sussex officials aim to rejuvenate the community and reflect the area’s unique history and culture. The new Coat of Arms, Crest and Flag will serve as symbols of pride for the town and are expected to represent the values and aspirations of the local community. This important process underscores the council’s commitment to promoting civic engagement and enhancing the town’s identity, as Sussex seeks to embark on a new chapter in its history.

The process of achieving our grant is briefly outlined as follows: 

Grant of a Coat of Arms, Flag, Badge

In Canada, the Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) manages the official creation of coats of arms, flags and badges. All Canadian citizens and organizations (municipalities, schools, associations, etc.) can contact the Chief Herald of Canada to have heraldic emblems created for them.

Opening of the file: Duration: 1 to 3 months. (This process is now nearing completion).

• Sussex has been contacted to obtain the relevant documents to complete our file.
• As the creating of heraldic emblems is part of the Canadian Honours System, each entity will need to have contributed to the wellbeing of our community to be granted heraldic emblems.
• The Chief Herald of Canada reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the Deputy Herald Chancellor, who then signs a warrant permitting the grant to be made to Sussex.

Research and written concept: Duration: 2 to 4 months

• A herald works with Sussex to determine the themes to be included in our new emblems for our new community.
• The Chief Herald of Canada reviews and approves the concept developed by the herald.
• A written proposal, including all of the design elements and their significance, will be sent to Sussex for approval by Sussex Council.

Preliminary artwork: Duration: 2 to 3 months

• Sussex will sign a contract with an artist of the CHA.
• The CHA artist creates a colour illustration of our arms, flag and/or badge.
• This preliminary artwork is sent to Sussex for our approval, along with the costs of production of the artwork.

Final art and calligraphy of the grant document: Duration: 3 to 4 months

• Sussex will choose one of two formats for the grant document.
• Sussex will sign two contracts for artists of the CHA to do the final painting and the calligraphy on the grant document.
• The artist paints your heraldic emblems; the artist’s costs are forwarded to Sussex.
• The calligrapher adds the text to the grant document.
• The Chief Herald of Canada seals the document and signs it joined by witnesses.

Mailing, publication and protection

• The grant document, symbolism page and photographs of the emblems are mailed to Sussex once all payments have been received.
• In the following 6 to 12 months, a notice of the grant is published in the Canada Gazette and the emblems are added to the online version of the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada.
• The granted emblems are protected by copyright, but on request the CHA can also arrange for their trademark registration with Sussex paying the registration fees.

Sussex Council has also begun the process of establishing and appointing a citizens committee to work through the important process. We have a unique opportunity to begin our new community and to set the identification of this new community.

Sussex Council is now accepting applications to become a volunteer on the Sussex Heritage Committee. This group of citizens will form part of this new committee. Our vision is to establish a committee of six (6) members representing of a broad spectrum of residents of the new Sussex, and together with Council appointments of elected officials, and with the support of the Town Clerk’s Office, Director of Community Services Office and the Chief Administrative Officer this committee will be tasked to develop our new identity.