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}}

Insignia

The badge of the Order is a white enamelled snowflake design, in gilt for Companions and Officers, and in silver for Members. The central disc bears a maple leaf, in red enamel for Companions, in gold for Officers, and in silver for Members, on a white enamel background, surrounded by a red enamel ring (annulus) bearing the motto of the Order, and topped by a crown. The reverse is plain except for the word "Canada". {{ref|ODM}} The ribbon consists of white, with red edges. On top of the motto, the crown of St. Edward is present. The ribbon has alternate red and white stripes, similar to the Canadian flag. The insignia can be passed down as a family heirloom but cannot be sold.

Related Topics:
Snowflake - Gilt - Silver - Maple leaf - St. Edward - Canadian flag

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When wearing medals and decorations, the Order of Canada is worn before all national orders and nearly all other Canadian decorations: only the Victoria Cross and the Cross of Valour are worn before the Order of Canada. The grades of Companion and Officer have their medals worn by a neck ribbon, while the Member grade is displayed on a chest ribbon on the left side of the jacket. Until recently, women appointees had to wear a ribbon bow in order to display the Order, which was positioned to the left. Other than special occasions laid out by the Governor General, women wear their Order by the same means as the men. The chest ribbon is the same for each grade, save for a metallic maple leaf in the centre, the colour of which depends on the grade that one was appointed to: red for a Companion, gold for an Officer, silver stands for a Member. Each appointee is also granted the right to ask for coat of arms from the Canadian Heraldic Authority if one does not exist for them. Companions can ask the Authority for the use of supporters on their personal coat of arms. The Order motto (in gold lettering on a red background) is circled around the shield, while the Order medal is suspended from the base of the shield. Because the Queen is sovereign of the Order, the current Coat of Arms of Canada, in use since 1994, uses the red ribbon with the Order motto in gold. {{ref|Canadaarms}} For civilian wear, a lapel pin is worn on the jacket, which is designed as a miniature of the medal design. An example of one being used is shown in this photo of Roméo Dallaire, O.C. The Governor General also wears a special chain during certain ceremonies. The chain consisted of the Companion medal, suspended from the shield of Canada, submitted by a crown. On each side, the necklace is composed of two repeating elements: a white stylized snowflake and the

Related Topics:
Victoria Cross - Cross of Valour - Maple - Red - Gold - Silver - Canadian Heraldic Authority - Supporters - Coat of arms - Motto - Coat of Arms of Canada - 1994 - Roméo Dallaire - Crown

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central disc that appears on the Companion medals.

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