Meritorious Service Decoration (Canada)
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The Meritorious Service Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal are awarded by the reigning monarch of Canada (presently Queen Elizabeth II). They are presented on her behalf by the Governor General. There are both military and civilian divisions. They may be awarded to both Canadians and non-Canadians.
The military division recognizes individuals for bringing honour to the Canadian Forces. The civilian division recognizes contributions that bring benefit or honour to Canada in any field or improve the quality of life of a community, from athletics to diplomatic relations to humanitarian activities, setting an example for others to follow.
The medal recognizes highly professional conduct or conduct according to a very high, often innovative, standard. The cross recognizes performance to an outstandingly or rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada, in the case of the civil division, or to the Canadian Forces in the case of the military division.
The military Cross was created on June 11, 1984. The military Medal and the civilian Cross and Medal were created in 1991. The earliest date that a candidate could be considered for any Meritorious Service Decoration was June 11, 1984.
An award permits recipients to use the letters "M.S.C." or "M.S.M." after their name. All awards are published in the Canada Gazette which is a record of all acts of the parliament of Canada.
