Orders, decorations, and medals of Canada
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The Canadian honours system has developed as a unique entity since the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967 when the first distinctly Canadian honour, the Order of Canada was created. The system is modelled on the British honours system.
Honours from the Sovereign of the United Kingdom used to be regularly awarded in Canada, on the recommendation of the British government, including some distinctly Canadian titles, such as Baroness Macdonald of Earnscliffe (1891). However, this practice ceased at the direction of the Canadian parliament beginning with the Nickle Resolution in 1919, which, though never legally binding, generally ended the awarding of knighthoods and peerages to Canadians. However, knighthoods were still conferred, such as on Sir Frederick Banting in 1934, Sir Edwin Leather in 1964, and Sir Terry Matthews in 2002. Some Canadian peerages continue to be recognised; the Baron de Longueuil, or Baron of Fleet, for example, and still others were granted post 1919, by the Sovereign of Canada, such as the 1st Viscount Bennett of Mickleham, Hopewell, and Calgary (1941). As well, certain awards, which are personal gifts of the Sovereign, apart from any government recommendation, are still conferred on Canadians, such as the Royal Victorian Chain, which was awarded to Vincent Massey and Roland Michener, and the Royal Victorian Order, which Canadians may receive up to the level of Commander (any above that carries a title). Canadians would now receive these awards from the Sovereign as Monarch of Canada, and not of the UK.
- Further information: Canadian titles debate
Each Canadian province and territory have also begun to issue their own orders and medals to honour their citizens for work performed in just their province. Most of these honours also grant the use of post-nominal letters and or supporters and other devices to be used on their coat of arms.
The Queen of Canada is the font of all honours. She is represented by the Governor General of Canada who acts for the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order; Sovereign of the Order of Canada; Sovereign of the Order of Military Merit; and Sovereign of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
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[edit] National Orders
[edit] Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is Canada's highest civilian honour, awarded to those who adhere to the Order's motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam meaning "desiring a better country." Created in 1967, it was established to recognize the lifetime contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada. The Order also recognizes efforts made by non-Canadians who made the world better by their actions. Musicians, politicians, artists, TV stars and benefactors and many more have been accepted into the Order. The Queen of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II, is Sovereign of the Order and the serving Governor General of Canada is its Chancellor and Principal Companion. Since 1967, more than 5,000 people have been appointed to the Order of Canada. The Order is comprised of three grades: Member (C.M.), Officer (O.C.) and Companion (C.C.). Companion is the highest grade of the Order, and only 165 living Companions can be appointed at one time.
[edit] Order of Military Merit
The Order of Military Merit is an award issued by Canada to members of the Canadian Forces who have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty. Established in 1972, the award has three classes:
- Commander (CMM) - fulfilling duties of great responsibility
- Officer (OMM) - fulfilling duties of responsibility
- Member (MMM) - exceptional service or performance of duty
The Queen is the Sovereign of the Order and the Governor General is the Chancellor and Commander of the Order.
[edit] Order of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces is an award of Canada, established in October 2000. It is awarded for conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of the various police forces in Canada. The Order has three classes: Companion (COM), Officer (OOM) and Member (MOM). The Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is ex officio the Principal Companion of the Order.
[edit] Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is an order of chivalry that was established by Queen Victoria on 21 April 1896. The Order includes five classes, in order of seniority:
- Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO)
- Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO)
- Commander (CVO)
- Lieutenant (LVO)
- Member (MVO)
Membership is conferred on those who performed personal service for the Sovereign. The levels of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander, available in other Commonwealth Realms, are normally not awarded to Canadians due to the Canadian Cabinet's adherence to the Nickle Resolution's stipulation that Canadians will not receive awards which confer on them titles.
The Order's day is 20 June, the date of Queen Victoria's accession. The motto is Victoria.
[edit] Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is a working order of charitably minded men and women whose philanthropy is expressed principally through its two foundations, the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St. John Ambulance. The Order traces its origins to the Knights Hospitaller, of the Crusades, who served the Abbey of St. Mary’s small hospital for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem in the 12th century. It has existed in Canada in some form for many years but was officially brought into the Canadian Honours System in 1995. Membership is by invitation only and cannot be petitioned.
In Canada, the order has four grades:
- Knight or Dame;
- Commander;
- Officer; and
- Serving Member
The Governor General of Canada when entered into office is styled Dame/Knight Grand Cross of the Order and Prior and Chief Officer in Canada of St John of Jerusalem.
[edit] Military Valour Decorations
[edit] Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (Post-nominal letters "V.C.") is the highest award for valour that can be awarded to members of the Canadian armed forces of any rank in any service, and allies serving under or with Canadian military command. Based on the British version of the VC, it is only awarded for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing a hostile force. Since its creation in 1993, no one has been awarded the Canadian Victoria Cross. Until 1993, the British VC was awarded to 94 Canadians, none of whom are now living.
Description A cross pattee, 1.375 inches across, with a dark brown finish. Made from cannons captured from the Russians during the Crimean War.
Obverse The obverse displays the Royal Crown surmounted by a lion guardant. Below the crown, a scroll bearing the inscription: PRO VALORE (The traditional 'For Valour' inscription replaced with a Latin translation in deference to Canada's bilingualism).
Reverse Raised edges with the date of the act engraved within a raised circle.
Mounting A straight bar (ornamented with laurels), slotted for the ribbon, has a V-lug below. A small link joins the V-lug to a semi-circular lug on the top of the cross.
Ribbon The crimson ribbon is 1.5 inches wide and a miniature cross is worn on the ribbon in undress. The ribbon was dark blue for naval recipients until 1918 with Able Seaman William HALL, RN, being the only Canadian VC winner to wear the blue ribbon.
Naming The recipient's rank, name and regiment are engraved on the reverse of the mounting bar.
[edit] Provincial and territorial orders
The various Provinces and territories of Canada have set up a system of awards to honor their citizens for actions or deeds that benefited their local community or province. Each province sets their own rules on eligibility and the award criteria and also how each medal is presented. Most of the orders allow for the recipient to wear their orders in public, and most grant the recipients the use of post-nominal letters in their names.
The established orders are (in alphabetical order). Images of the medals and ribbon bars can be seen at List of Canadian provincial and territorial orders.:
- Alberta Order of Excellence (A.O.E.)
- Order of British Columbia (O.B.C.)
- Order of Manitoba (O.M.)
- Order of New Brunswick (O.N.B.)
- Order of Newfoundland and Labrador (O.N.L.)
- Order of Nova Scotia (O.N.S.)
- Order of Ontario (O. Ont.)
- Order of Prince Edward Island (O.P.E.I.)
- National Order of Quebec (G.O.Q., O.Q., C.Q.)
- Saskatchewan Order of Merit (S.O.M.)
An order for the Yukon Territory, the Yukon Territory Order of Polaris, has been rumored to be created. [1] Other than with a ribbon bar present on a few medal related websites, no official word was given about this order. However it is not list on the Chart of Medal and order which Canadian force Member are allowed to wear[2]
Most provincial orders only have one grade, or level, which is membership. The only province that has a multi-level Order system is Quebec. Their order, the National Order of Quebec, has three grades: Grand Officer (G.O.Q.), Officer (O.Q.) and Knight (C.O.). Grand officer is the highest grade in the National Order of Quebec.
Various people who have been awarded provincial orders have been presented with national decorations and orders, such as the Order of Canada. An example of this would be Gordon Lightfoot being awarded the Order of Ontario. Lightfoot is also a Companion of the Order of Canada. [3] Each province has a limit on how many can be awarded with their order per year. Ontario places no limit on the number that can be distributed (although it is usually around 25). Alberta is limited to 10 inductees each year.
The Canadian Forces has listed the following orders to be worn in the following manner: National Order of Quebec, Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Order of Ontario, Order of British Columbia, Alberta Order of Excellence, Order of Prince Edward Island, Order of Manitoba, Order of New Brunswick, Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, the CF has stated that while this is the order of sequence on a ribbon bar, it is unlikely or even impossible that a member will receive a medal or an order from all Canadian provinces. [4]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Canadian Forces Honours and Awards Chart.
- Modern Honours of Canada - Veteran Affairs Canada.
- Ribbon bars to Canadian medals
| National Orders of Canada |  |
| Order of Canada | Order of Military Merit | Order of Merit of the Police Forces | Royal Victorian Order
Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem |
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