Canada, Order of, is part of the Canadian Honours System, by which the country recognizes extraordinary people. Canada’s governor general is responsible for administering the order. The governor general represents the sovereign (king or queen) of Canada, the country’s head of state, who is also the monarch of the United Kingdom. Being appointed to the order is one of the highest Canadian honors available to civilians. Some Canadian honors are limited to military recipients.
Appointments to the Order of Canada are made in recognition of high achievement and merit, especially in service of Canada or humanity; and for distinguished service in or to a community, group, or field of activity. Individuals are appointed to the order at three levels. In descending order, the levels are Companion, Officer, and Member. Canada’s king or queen is the Sovereign of the order. Canada’s governor general is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the order. Those appointed to the order below the rank of Companion may be promoted to a higher rank later, in recognition of further achievement.
Any person may submit a nomination for the Order of Canada. Any Canadian citizen may be appointed to the order. Non-Canadian citizens also may be appointed as honorary Companions, Officers, and Members of the order. An independent advisory council chaired by the chief justice of Canada’s Supreme Court evaluates the nominations. The advisory council makes merit-based, nonpolitical recommendations to the governor general, who carries out the appointments. Typically, new appointees are announced twice annually, around New Year’s Day (January 1) and Canada Day (July 1). They are later invited to attend an investiture ceremony.
The insignia of the Order of Canada is a white, six-pointed snowflake. At the center is a red ring encircling a maple leaf. The order’s motto is written on the ring. The motto, written in Latin, is Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (They Desire a Better Country). A crown representing the sovereign sits atop the ring, in the top point of the snowflake. The color of the maple leaf varies according to a person’s rank in the order.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967, Canada’s centennial year, by Queen Elizabeth II. It is considered the cornerstone (foundation) of Canada’s modern national honors system. Since 1967, thousands of people from many different sectors of society have been appointed to the Order of Canada. The Canadian Honours System also has been expanded to include additional medals, decorations, and orders to recognize various kinds of achievements.
