Order of Newfoundland and Labrador

Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
Name	Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
Type	Provincial order
Established	2001
Status	Active
Head title	Chancellor
Head	Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
Post noms	ONL

Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest civilian honour of Newfoundland and Labrador established in 2001 during the tenure of Premier Brian Tobin and instituted through provincial legislation that followed traditions found in the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, and the Order of British Columbia. The order recognizes individuals associated with St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Gander and other communities for conspicuous contributions similar to recognitions bestowed by the Governor General of Canada and provincial viceregal offices such as the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador.

History

The order was created by an act of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly and received royal assent in the era of Lieutenant Governor Arthur Maxwell House, following precedents set by the Canadian Honours System, the Order in Council processes of provinces like Quebec and Alberta, and commissions modeled on the Order of Nova Scotia. Early design and protocol consultations involved representatives from institutions such as Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and stakeholders in municipalities including Corner Brook and Mount Pearl. Initial investitures included figures whose careers intersected with organizations like Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Red Cross, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Purpose and Criteria

The order’s stated purpose mirrors objectives articulated in instruments like the Letters Patent for the Order of Canada and recognizes excellence across fields represented by entities such as Health Canada-affiliated hospitals, Fisheries and Oceans Canada collaborations, and cultural bodies including the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Eligibility criteria require Newfoundland and Labrador residency or long-standing association, contributions beyond service typical of employment with agencies like Canada Revenue Agency or firms such as Nalcor Energy, and demonstrable impact comparable to recipients of the Governor General's Awards or laureates within the Royal Society of Canada. Nomination procedures invite submissions from organizations like Canadian Heritage-linked community groups, educational bodies such as Bishop's College School and Queen's University alumni chapters, and civic institutions in towns like Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Membership and Investiture

Membership is conferred by the chancellor, the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, on the advice of an advisory council patterned after panels used by the Order of Manitoba and the Order of New Brunswick. The advisory council has included representatives from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives, and former appointees with affiliations to entities such as Canadian Nurses Association and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Investiture ceremonies have been held at viceregal residences and venues associated with Government House (St. John's), with protocol resembling ceremonies for the Order of Canada and featuring musical components from organizations like the Royal Newfoundland Regiment bands.

Insignia and Post-nominals

The insignia, designed with input from Newfoundland and Labrador artisans and heraldic advisors connected to the Canadian Heraldic Authority and museums such as the The Rooms, incorporates regional symbols found on flags and emblems used by bodies like the Provincial Coat of Arms of Newfoundland and Labrador and motifs present in works by artists exhibited at the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council. Members are entitled to use the post-nominal letters ONL in the manner similar to post-nominals for recipients of the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Prince Edward Island. Insignia protocols reference precedents from the Royal Victorian Order and manufacturing practices used by regalia suppliers that have produced decorations for the Order of Canada.

Administration and Governance

Administration is managed through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and an advisory council whose composition reflects representation from institutions including Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, and legal entities like the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. Governance follows procedures akin to those codified for other provincial orders such as the Order of Saskatchewan and involves vetting processes comparable to those used by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for clearance of high-profile honourees. Records of nominations and appointments are maintained in archives accessible to researchers affiliated with the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives and cultural historians at universities like Dalhousie University.

Notable Members

Notable inductees have included figures active in public life and institutions such as Joey Smallwood-era civic projects, leaders from Memorial University of Newfoundland, cultural figures associated with the Nfld. and Labrador Folk Arts Society, medical professionals linked to Health Sciences Centre (St. John's), artists exhibited at The Rooms, and business leaders connected to firms such as Fortis Inc. and Nalcor Energy. Honourees have also come from media outlets such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and community organizations like the Royal St. John's Regatta committee.

Controversies and Criticism

Critiques have arisen over selections that intersected with public debates involving entities like Nalcor Energy, political figures from administrations of Premier Danny Williams and Premier Kathy Dunderdale, and appointments perceived as reflecting partisan affiliations similar to controversies observed in provincial orders such as the Order of British Columbia. Critics citing transparency concerns have called for reforms referencing standards used by the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (Canada) and archival access consistent with the Access to Information Act models.

Category:Provincial and territorial orders of Canada