History

In response to a request from the Chief of CSE, a warrant authorizing the creation of a badge was signed by the Deputy Herald Chancellor of the Canadian Heraldic Authority

Canadian Heraldic Authority

The Canadian Heraldic Authority is part of the Canadian honours system under the Queen of Canada, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General. The Authority is responsible for the creation and granting of new coats of arms , flags and badges for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and...

 (at that time, Lieutenant-General James Cyrille Gervais), on January 26th, 1994. The CSE badge was granted by the Chief Herald of Canada

Chief Herald of Canada

Chief Herald of Canada is the title held by the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The Chief Herald of Canada directs the operations of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and makes the grants of arms. There are exceptions to this, such as certain grants made directly by the Governor General. The...

, under the authority of the Governor General

Governor General of Canada

The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...

 (at that time, Raymon John Hnatyshyn

Ray Hnatyshyn

Ramon John Hnatyshyn , commonly known as Ray Hnatyshyn, was a Canadian politician and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 24th since Canadian Confederation....

), on July 15th, 1994, to mark the 48th anniversary of the organization’s founding. The badge is registered in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada

Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada

The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada contains the heraldic emblems that have been granted, registered, approved or confirmed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority since its inception on June 4, 1988. In 2005, the Canadian Heraldic Authority began the process of creating a digital...

, Vol. II, page 326.

The notice of registration was published in Part I of the Canada Gazette

Canada Gazette

The Canada Gazette is an official publication by the government of Canada that publishes all laws and Orders in Council issued by the government. It also contains other information on things such as hearing and tribunals, proposed changes and any thing else the government feels should be told to...

, Vol. 128, No. 49, page 4584, on December 3, 1994.http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/canada-gazette/001060-119.02-e.php?image_id_nbr=607323&f=p&PHPSESSID=l20rdvetivgom1bjir5trvh437

Description

The Letters Patent

Letters patent

Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...

 issued by the Canadian Heraldic Authority describes the badge as: Azure a bezant charged with a maple leaf Gules thereon a key palewise wards upward to the dexter its bow enfiled by two lightning flashes in saltire Or the whole within an annulus Or fimbriated and inscribed NUNTIUM COMPARAT ET CUSTODIT in letter Azure and ensigned by a representation of the Royal Crown.

Significance

According to information formerly provided on CSE’s websitehttp://www.cse-cst.gc.ca/, use of the Royal Crown was approved by the Queen. The blue circle represents the world of information and the gold circle and maple leaf symbolize Canada. The lightning flashes denote communications, while the key represents the secure and sensitive nature of the information which CSE provides and protects. The motto is a Latin translation of the phrase “Providing and Protecting Information”.

See also

• Communications Security Establishment
  Communications Security Establishment
  The Communications Security Establishment Canada is the Canadian government's national cryptologic agency. Administered under the Department of National Defence , it is charged with the duty of keeping track of foreign signals intelligence , and protecting Canadian government electronic...
  
  
• Canadian royal symbols
  Canadian royal symbols
  Canadian royal symbols are the visual and auditory identifiers of the Canadian monarchy and the monarch's viceroys, in both the country's federal and provincial jurisdictions...
  
  
• Heraldic Badges of the Canadian Government
  Heraldic badges of the Canadian government
  Heraldic Badges of the Canadian GovernmentThe following table depicts heraldic badges used by various departments and agencies within the Canadian Government, and provides a brief description of each...