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}}

Creation

The Order of Canada was instituted on April 17, 1967, by Prime Minister Lester Pearson. Pearson created the Order to recognize exemplary achievement and service to Canadians and to humanity at large. The first members were appointed on 1 July 1967, the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Dominion of Canada. The creation of the Order was the beginning of the establishment of the Canadian Honours System, a system of awards and decorations to be bestowed onto Canadians and foreigners. Upon the creation of the system, it broke off the dependence of the honours system used by the United Kingdom and by some of its former Crown colonies and dominions. Before the Order of Canada was created, the main order presented to Canadians for the above criteria was the Order of the British Empire. {{ref|James}} The first appointee (selection) and investiture (inducting) was for Roland Michener, the twentieth Governor General of Canada, to the level of Companion. {{ref|Michener}}. Other first appointees included Vincent Massey, Louis St. Laurent, Hugh MacLennan, Father David Bauer, Gabrielle Roy, Donald Creighton, Thérèse Casgrain, Wilder Penfield, Arthur Lismer, and Maurice Richard. {{ref|Speech}} Since the Order of Canada was created, Australia has created a system of awards based on the Order of Canada: the Order of Australia. The Order of Australia has been awarded more liberally to foreigners than has the Order of Canada. New Zealand has created an order, the Order of New Zealand, but it is awarded in only one grade with limited membership. In 1996, New Zealand created the New Zealand Order of Merit, a five level Order of chivalry which closely resemblers the Order of Canada.

Related Topics:
April 17 - 1967 - Prime Minister - Lester Pearson - 1 July - Canadian Honours System - Honours system - United Kingdom - Crown colonies - Dominion - Order of the British Empire - Roland Michener - Vincent Massey - Louis St. Laurent - Hugh MacLennan - Father David Bauer - Gabrielle Roy - Donald Creighton - Thérèse Casgrain - Wilder Penfield - Arthur Lismer - Maurice Richard - Australia - Order of Australia - New Zealand - Order of New Zealand - New Zealand Order of Merit

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