in 1988, governance of both personal and corporate heraldry in canada was patriated from the heraldic authorities in england and scotland, with the formation of the canadian heraldic authority, which now has exclusive jurisdiction over granting awards of arms in canada. coats of arms are used throughout canada by all levels of government, in many cases including royal insignia as a mark of authority, as in the recently granted arms of the house of commons and the senate, and of parliament as a combined body. use of armorial bearings is not limited to governmental bodies; all citizens of canada have the right to petition for an award of arms, as do other entities including businesses and religious institutions. the granting of arms is regarded as an honour from the queen of canada, via her viceroy, the governor general of canada, and thus are bestowed only on those whom the chief herald has deemed worthy of receiving a grant of arms.