The city is moving ahead with plans to update Orillia’s coat of arms.
The revised coat of arms will address issues raised about the depiction of an Indigenous paddler, who is coloured red on the current version.
In May, council directed staff to consult with Chippewas of Rama First Nation on an updated image and report back to budget committee.
That happened Thursday, when the committee approved an updated coat of arms at a cost of $7,073.
Staff stated in a report that Rama “recommends updating the figure in the crest to a natural skin tone.”
Coun. Jay Fallis said the project is “an important thing to endorse … an important, symbolic message of how we, as a city, are portraying ourselves as an inclusive community.”
He said the cost was more than he expected, but he voted in favour of the project.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
- Canadian Heraldic Authority processing fee: $435
- Preliminary artwork: $815
- Final artwork: $1,690
- Calligraphy: $1,250
- Three shields: $435
- Council chamber carving update — artist fees: $500
- City coat of arms pins: $1,825
- Unrecoverable HST: $123
Thursday’s decision was made during the final day of operating budget deliberations. The capital budget will be discussed next week. All decisions require ratification at a special council meeting Dec. 6.
