before the creation of the canadian heraldic authority, canadians wishing to obtain a legally granted coat of arms had to apply to one of the two heraldic offices in the united kingdom: either the college of arms in london or, if of scottish descent, the court of the lord lyon in edinburgh. this process was quite lengthy—and costly. in addition, the heralds in britain could sometimes be unfamiliar with canadian history and symbols. in time, many canadians with an interest in heraldry began calling for an office that would offer armorial bearings designed by and for canadians.