On May 15, 2006, the Canadian Heraldic Authority issued a new Coat of Arms to the City of Niagara Falls. At the same time, a new motto was chosen, Tread the Smoother Ways of Peace, which was taken from the poem Niagara by Dr. Arthur William Fisher which was found on this website. The description of the coat of arms is reproduced below.
Blazon
Arms
Argent three pallets wavy Azure, on a chief enarched three pallets counterchanged;
Supporters
Two lions Or each holding a lightning bolt Argent and standing on a rocky mound proper;
Crest
Issuant from a mural crown Argent masoned Azure charged with maple leaves Gules and hurts bearing mullets Argent, a thunderbolt Or;
Motto
TREAD THE SMOOTHER WAYS OF PEACE;
Symbolism
Arms
The design is a symbolic representation of the Canadian, or Horseshoe, Falls, the City’s most famous feature and one of the natural wonders of the world. The top part indicates the flowing water of the Niagara River, the division line the shape of the Horseshoe Falls, and the lower part the tumbling water as it goes over the Falls.
Supporters
The lions have been used by the City since 1939, and the lightning bolts refer to the importance of hydro-electric power generated by the Falls. As gold lions are found in the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom and of Canada, they also allude to the important role the Niagara region played in the defence of Canada during the War of 1812, such as at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in what is now Niagara Falls. The rocky ground on which the lions stand alludes to the Niagara Gorge.
Crest
The mural crown is a traditional symbol of municipal authority. The maple leaves and stars indicate Niagara Falls’ status as a border city, across from the city of the same name in New York State. The thunderbolt is a symbol derived from classical mythology. It alludes to the name Niagara, thought to mean “thunder of water” in the aboriginal Neutral language. It also reinforces the idea of electrical power as expressed in the lightning bolts held by the supporters.
Motto
This sentence is taken from Dr. Arthur William Fisher’s poem “Niagara”, published in 1924. As Niagara Falls is the most famous border city in Canada, this alludes to the peaceful relationship with the United States, valued particularly in a region that saw terrible battles in the War of 1812. This motto can serve as an exhortation to all citizens to advance the cause of peace.