Order of Canada

Order of Canada
Name	Order of Canada
Caption	Ribbon of the Order of Canada
Awarded by	The Monarch of Canada
Type	National order
Motto	Desiderantes meliorem patriam
Eligibility	All living Canadians
For	A lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation
Status	Currently constituted
Founder	Elizabeth II
Grades	Companion, Officer, Member
Date	1 July 1967
First induction	1967
Total	~7,500
Higher	Order of Merit
Lower	Order of Military Merit

Order of Canada. Established on 1 July 1967 by Elizabeth II, on the advice of her Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, it is the cornerstone of the Canadian honours system. The order recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation, embodying the Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam ("They desire a better country"). Administered by the Governor General of Canada and supported by the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, its creation marked a significant step in fostering a distinct Canadian national identity.

History

The concept for a uniquely Canadian honour was first seriously proposed in the 1940s by Vincent Massey, then High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom. The initiative gained momentum under John Diefenbaker and was ultimately realized by the government of Lester B. Pearson, with key design input from Conrad Swan of the College of Arms. The first appointments were announced on 20 December 1967, with the inaugural list including Roland Michener, Georges P. Vanier, and Samuel Bronfman. The order's structure was amended in 1972, creating the three-tier system in use today and establishing the Companion of the Order of Canada as its highest grade.

Insignia and design

The insignia features a stylized, six-pointed snowflake with a maple leaf at its centre, symbolizing Canada's northern character. The design, created by Bruce W. Beatty, is rendered in white enamel with a red enamel border for Companions and Officers. Members wear a similar design in a single silver tone. The reverse is plain, engraved with the recipient's name and the year of appointment. The ribbon is white with vertical red stripes, reflecting the colours of the Flag of Canada. The sovereign's insignia features a royal crown above the central maple leaf.

Appointment process

Nominations are submitted by the public to the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. Each nomination is reviewed by the independent Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada and comprising other senior officials and members. The council's recommendations are forwarded to the governor general for approval. Appointments are officially made by the monarch, as the fount of honour, and are announced twice annually, typically around Canada Day and New Year's Day.

Grades and precedence

The order comprises three grades. The highest, Companion (C.C.), is limited to 165 living individuals and recognizes national pre-eminence or service of the highest degree. The second grade, Officer (O.C.), recognizes national service or achievement. The third grade, Member (C.M.), recognizes outstanding contributions at a local or regional level. In the Canadian order of precedence, it ranks directly below the Order of Merit and above the Order of Military Merit.

Notable appointees

Companions have included groundbreaking scientists like John Polanyi, iconic musicians such as Oscar Peterson and Leonard Cohen, and celebrated authors like Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro. Distinguished Officers encompass figures from astronaut Chris Hadfield to humanitarian Roméo Dallaire. Notable Members range from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to environmentalist David Suzuki. The order has also been conferred upon influential non-Canadians, including Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Stephen Hawking, in an honorary capacity.

Controversies and reforms

The order has faced several controversies leading to reforms. The most notable involved the 1990 resignation of Alan Eagleson following his criminal conviction, setting a precedent for removal. The 2008 resignation of Ernst Zündel and the 2013 resignation of Randy R. G. W. Lacasse highlighted ongoing scrutiny. A significant review in 2010-2011, following the case of Conrad Black, led to stricter guidelines for appointments and removals, reinforcing the council's independence. These events have shaped the order's modern governance, ensuring its integrity remains paramount.

Category:National orders