upon ratification of the treaty of paris, the british crown confirmed the french awards of arms. between 1763 and 1867, the year of canadian confederation, there is little evidence of much heraldic activity. after confederation, however, heraldry in canada became more widespread, including grants of arms to the provinces, various educational institutions, municipalities, and individuals. in the immediate post-confederation period, arms were granted to new brunswick, nova scotia, ontario, and quebec, although not to the country as a whole. in the period between the treaty of paris and confederation, the arms of the united kingdom had served as the emblem of authority within canada.