Order of Canada

Membership in the Order of Canada is Canada's highest civilian honour, awarded to those who adhere to the Order's motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means "they desire a better country." Created in 1967, the Order 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 have made the world better by their actions. Musicians, politicians, artists, television stars, 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, 5053 people have been appointed to the Order of Canada. {{ref|OoCTotal}}

Advisory Council

The task of the Advisory Council is to evaluate the nominations of people to the Order and see if the nominated people are worthy enough to be accepted into the Order. The Governor General of Canada makes the appointments to the Order based on recommendations from the Advisory Council. The Secretary General to the Advisory Council announces the decision of the Advisory Council to the Canada Gazette and to the public about any appointments and dismissals from the Order.

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The Advisory Council, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada, includes the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts, the President of the Royal Society of Canada, and the Chairperson of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. As well, five members of the Order are part of the Council for a maximum three-year term. If the nomination involves a non-Canadian, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will be invited by the Advisory Council to evaluate the nomination.

Related Topics:
Chief Justice of Canada - Clerk of the Privy Council - Department of Canadian Heritage - Canada Council for the Arts - Royal Society of Canada - Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada - Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

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The current members of the Advisory Council are:

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• The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada (Chair)
• The Honourable Thomas R. Berger, O.C.
• Mrs. Ruth Miriam Goldbloom, O.C.
• Mr. Richard Francis Haskayne, O.C.
• Mr. Alex Himelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
• Mr. Tom Jackson, O.C.
• Miss Karen Kain, C.C., Chair, the Canada Council for the Arts
• Mrs. Judith A. LaRocque, C.V.O., Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage
• Mr. Peter MacKinnon, Chairman of the Board, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
• The Honourable Antonine Maillet, P.C., C.C., O.Q.
• Mr. Gilles Paquet, C.M., President, the Royal Society of Canada
• Ms. Barbara Uteck, Secretary to the Governor General (Secretary General)