Order of Canada
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| Order of Canada | |
|---|---|
 Dowew · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source | |
| Name | Order of Canada |
| Caption | Badge of the Order of Canada |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Elizabeth II |
| Type | National order |
| Headquarters | Rideau Hall |
| Country | Canada |
| Head | Governor General of Canada |
Order of Canada The Order of Canada is a Canadian national honour established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation. It complements honours such as the Victoria Cross and the Canadian Bravery Decorations while existing alongside medals like the Order of Military Merit and awards such as the Governor General's Awards. The order's creation involved figures including Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and was announced during Canada's centennial, an occasion also marked by events connected to Expo 67 and cultural initiatives featuring participants like Margaret Atwood and Glenn Gould.
History
The institution of the order was announced by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and implemented under the reign of Elizabeth II during a period of symbolic nation-building that included reforms linked to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police centennial and initiatives by provincial leaders such as Jean Lesage and John Diefenbaker. Early appointments reflected Canada's cultural and scientific priorities, honoring individuals connected to institutions like the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Canadian Journal of Economics. Notable early recipients included figures whose careers intersected with the Supreme Court of Canada, the Bank of Canada, and international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The order's development has been influenced by constitutional and ceremonial considerations involving the Governor General of Canada, the Privy Council Office, and viceregal residences such as Rideau Hall and Citadelle of Québec. Revisions and debates over appointments have touched on cases tied to personalities associated with the Royal Conservatory of Music, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, and cultural controversies that involved media outlets like the Globe and Mail and broadcasters such as CBC Television.
Eligibility and Appointment
Eligibility for appointment is determined by criteria administered by the Governor General of Canada on the advice of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, a body composed of representatives from bodies such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Privy Council Office, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and academic institutions like McGill University and Queen's University. Nominations have been made by citizens and endorsed through channels that include provincial offices such as Ontario Cabinet Office and cultural organizations including the Canada Council for the Arts.
Appointments have recognized achievements across fields represented by organizations like the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, and arts institutions such as Stratford Festival and National Ballet of Canada. The order has inducted diplomats who served in missions to United States, United Kingdom, France, and multilateral bodies including the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Grades and Insignia
The order comprises multiple grades mirroring structures found in honours such as the Order of the British Empire and the Legion of Honour. Insignia include a badge and a ribbon whose manufacture has involved Canadian artisans and heraldic advisers connected to offices like the Canadian Heraldic Authority and the Chancellery of Honours. Designs reflect symbols associated with the Maple Leaf motif and emblems resonant with institutions including the Royal Canadian Legion and museums such as the Canadian Museum of History.
Recipients receive insignia appropriate to their grade during ceremonies at viceregal residences such as Rideau Hall or regional venues like the Citadelle of Québec; insignia have been displayed in archives held by libraries and galleries including the Library and Archives Canada and the National Gallery of Canada.
Investiture and Ceremonies
Investiture ceremonies are presided over by the Governor General of Canada at locations including Rideau Hall and have featured guests drawn from political life such as former prime ministers Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien, legislators from the House of Commons of Canada and the Senate of Canada, and cultural figures affiliated with the National Arts Centre and the Stratford Festival. Ceremonies follow protocols that intersect with the Canadian Honours System and viceregal traditions influenced by practices in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Media coverage of investitures has appeared in outlets like the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and broadcasters such as CBC Television and has sometimes generated public discussion involving commentators from institutions like Ryerson University and think tanks such as the Fraser Institute.
Governance and Administration
Administration of the order is managed by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General and the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, which includes members drawn from the Supreme Court of Canada, the Royal Society of Canada, and other national bodies. Operational matters involve coordination with the Chancellery of Honours, the Privy Council Office, and provincial offices including the Ontario Cabinet Office and the Government of Québec's cultural departments.
Policy decisions about appointments and investitures have intersected with statutes and conventions related to the Royal Prerogative and advisory practices observed by officials who worked with leaders like Pierre Trudeau and Paul Martin. Records and institutional histories are maintained by entities such as Library and Archives Canada and the Canadian Heritage archival programs.
Notable Members and Controversies
The order's membership includes a wide array of notables linked to institutions such as the National Ballet of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, McGill University, University of Toronto, the Bank of Canada, and cultural icons associated with the CBC Television and the National Film Board of Canada. Prominent appointees have included figures with careers spanning diplomacy at the United Nations, jurisprudence at the Supreme Court of Canada, science at the Royal Society of Canada, and literature tied to publishers like McClelland & Stewart.
Controversies have arisen around specific appointments and removals involving law enforcement figures from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, political figures linked to administrations of Brian Mulroney and Jean Chrétien, and cultural debates involving artists associated with the National Gallery of Canada and media outlets such as the Globe and Mail. High-profile resignations and revocations prompted scrutiny by bodies including the Privy Council Office and commentary from academics at York University and University of Ottawa, generating public debate in forums like the House of Commons of Canada and coverage in outlets such as CTV Television Network.