two years later, on 4 june 1988, then-governor general jeanne sauvé authorised the creation of the canadian heraldic authority, made possible by letters patent signed by queen elizabeth ii, on the advice of her canadian privy council, and presented by her son, prince edward. as a result, canada became the first commonwealth realm outside the united kingdom to have its own heraldic authority. canada also provides full equality to women in terms of inheriting and transmitting arms. additionally, all armigers within canada may file for trademark protection of their grant of arms under the trade-marks act.