The most prominent feature of the shield itself is, of course, the bend wavy, representing the falls (or the Exploits river, at least). The star and the scrolls represent the future, and the paper industry. The chief, the cross of St. George, shows the English foundation fo the town.

The supporters are caribou, each bearing a roundel which mirrors the main charge of the shield. The crest is a tower, and the motto translates as "I arose out of the woods"- a reference to the pulp and paper industry which started up the town. Prior to the amalgamation of Grand Falls with Windsor, Grand Falls bore the arms shown below, which were the basis of the CHA grant shown above.

Differences include the chief, the crest (originally a tipi, representing the First Nations, and a lion, representing the British), and the supporters (which were originally naturally coloured rather than the more heraldic silver, and made unique by having them stand on salmon, rather than the collars).