National and Provincial Honours

Order of Canada
Order of Ontario
Ordre national du Québec (all grades)
Order of Nova Scotia
Order of New Brunswick
Order of Manitoba
Order of British Columbia
Order of Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Alberta Order of Excellence
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador

Order of Canada

The Order of Canada — our country's highest honour for lifetime achievement — was instituted on July 1, 1967, the 100th anniversary of Confederation. From local citizens to national and international personalities, all Canadians are eligible for the Order of Canada, which is conferred in recognition of outstanding achievement and lifetime contribution in all major fields of endeavour. Appointments are made by the Governor General, based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council of the Order, which meets twice a year under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Canada to consider nominations submitted by members of the public.

There are three levels of membership: the Companion level, recognizing the highest degree of service to Canada or humanity; the Officer level, recognizing national service and merit of a high degree; and the Member level, recognizing outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a specialized field of activity. The number of living Companions is limited by the Order's constitution to 165; Companions may be appointed only when a vacancy occurs, while those honoured at the Officer or Member level may be upgraded.

The Order of Canada's badge is in the form of a stylized, six-pointed snowflake bearing the Crown and a maple leaf. It is worn at the neck by Companions and Officers and on the left breast by Members. Recipients are entitled to place the initials of their level of appointment to the Order after their names: C.C., O.C., or C.M., and all may wear a small replica of the badge on street clothes. The motto of the Order of Canada is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM, meaning "they desire a better country".

Order of Ontario

In 1986, the Government of Ontario established the Order of Ontario, which is awarded annually to Ontario residents who have demonstrated excellence and achievement of the highest degree in any field of endeavour and whose contributions have enriched the lives of others and contributed to the betterment of their communities. All nominations for the Order are considered by an Advisory Council comprising the Chief Justice of Ontario, who is Chairperson; the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; and the Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council. The Lieutenant Governor is the Honorary Chairperson of the Advisory Council. Members of the Order may use the post-nominal letters O.Ont.

The insignia of the Order is a stylized trillium, Ontario's floral emblem, in white and green enamel, edged in gold. In the centre of the trillium is the shield of arms of the province, surmounted by the Crown. The ribbon of the Order is red, the colour of the flag of Ontario, and white, green and gold, the colours of the trillium.

Ordre national du Québec (all grades)

Ordre natioanal du Québec

In 1984, the Quebec Legislature created the Ordre national du Québec to honour individuals who have helped gain recognition for Quebec. Whether in the scientific, artistic or social spheres, the National Order bears witness to their accomplishments. The Order's motto is "Honour to the people of Quebec".

The insignia of the Ordre national du Québec is awarded annually by the premier of Quebec on the advice of a special nine member elected Council. There are three levels of decoration in the Order: Grand Officer, Officer and Knight. The members of the Order are authorized to use the initials corresponding to their level: Grand Officer (GOQ), Officer (OC), or Knight (CQ).

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Order of Nova Scotia

The Order of Nova Scotia was created by an Act of the Legislature in 2001 to encourage excellence by recognizing Nova Scotians for outstanding contributions or achievements. Members of the Order have distinguished themselves in many fields of endeavour and have brought honour and prestige to themselves and to Nova Scotia. Members of the Order are entitled to use the initials O.N.S. after their names.

The insignia is a medal in the form of a stylized mayflower, Nova Scotia's floral emblem, bearing the shield of arms of the province surmounted by the crown. It is worn with a blue, white, red and gold ribbon, the colours of the provincial flag.

Order of New Brunswick

The Order of New Brunswick was established in December 2000 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement and who have made outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of New Brunswick and its residents. The Order may be conferred posthumously in exceptional circumstances. No more than 10 individuals may be appointed annually. Members of the Order are entitled to use the initials O.N.B. after their names.

The insignia is a medal in the form of a stylized purple violet, New Brunswick's floral emblem, bearing the shield of arms of the province surmounted by the crown. It is worn with a red, gold and blue ribbon, the colours of the shield of arms.

Order of Manitoba

Established in 1999, the Order of Manitoba recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement and have made a mark on Manitoba and its people in various fields of endeavour, such as agriculture, business and industry, volunteer service, education and research, the literary, visual and performing arts, occupational and professional achievement, public and community service. The appointments are announced by the Lieutenant Governor, as Chancellor of the Order, on or about the anniversary date that the Manitoba Act was passed by Parliament (May 12, 1870); investitures are held on or about the anniversary date that Manitoba entered Confederation (July 15, 1870). Members are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names.

The insignia is a medal in the form of a stylized crocus, Manitoba's floral emblem, bearing the shield of arms of the province surmounted by the crown. It is worn with a white, light blue and red ribbon.

Order of British Columbia

The Order of British Columbia was created by the provincial legislature in 1989 to recognize those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of British Columbia or elsewhere. The honour is conferred annually by the Lieutenant Governor, based on the recommendations of a seven-member Advisory Council, chaired by the provincial Chief Justice. The Lieutenant Governor is Honorary Chairperson of the Advisory Council. Members of the Order may use the initials O.B.C. after their names.

The insignia is a medal in the form of a stylized dogwood (British Columbia's floral emblem), featuring a crowned shield of arms. The recipient may wear a full-size medal of the Order suspended from a ribbon of green, white, yellow and dark blue. A lapel pin button of the Order may also be worn.

Order of Prince Edward Island

The Order of Prince Edward Island, the province's highest honour, is awarded to individual islanders whose efforts and accomplishments have been truly exemplary. The Order was created in 1996 and formalized by the provincial legislature in 1997 to encourage and acknowledge outstanding achievements and contributions of individual citizens to the social, cultural and economic life of the province and its residents.

An independent Advisory Council considers nominations for the Order and makes final recommendations to the Premier as President of the Executive Council. The Lieutenant Governor, who is Chancellor of the Order of Prince Edward Island, confers the honour on not more than three people at an annual ceremony at Government House. The Order's insignia includes an enamelled medallion that incorporates the provincial arms, suspended from a ribbon of rust red, white and green, as well as a stylized lapel pin and a miniature medal, to be worn on less formal occasions. Recipients are entitled to use the letters O.P.E.I. after their names.

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Saskatchewan Order of Merit

Order of Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Order of Merit, the province's most prestigious honour, was established in 1985 to recognize individual excellence, outstanding achievement and exceptional contributions to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the province and its residents. The Order is awarded to a maximum of 10 individuals annually by the Lieutenant Governor, based on the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Honours Advisory Council.

The Order recognizes Saskatchewan residents who have made their mark in such areas as the arts, agriculture, business and industry, community leadership, the occupations or professions, public service, research, and volunteer service.

The insignia worn by members of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit include a silver and enamel medal representing a stylized western red lily (the provincial floral emblem), bearing the Crown and shield of arms of the province, surrounded by a circular band with the provincial motto, Multis e gentibus vires; the medal is worn with a ribbon of gold and green, the official colours of the province. There is also a miniature of the full—size medal and a lapel pin representing a stylized lily with the Crown. Recipients of the Order are entitled to use the letters S.O.M. after their names.

Alberta Order of Excellence

The Alberta Order of Excellence was established in 1979 to recognize individuals who have rendered service of the greatest distinction, and of singular excellence for, or on behalf of, Albertans. The Order of Excellence is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an Albertan by the province. The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is Chancellor of the Order. The Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence, a volunteer body of six prominent Albertans, makes recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor as to which individuals should be honoured with membership in the Order.

The Order's insignia consists of a silver, gilt and enamel medallion attached to a ribbon of blue, white, gold, and burgundy, which is presented to Members along with a miniature of the insignia design. The gold sections between the four arms of the medallion represent prairie wheat, and on them are depicted wild roses, the floral emblem of Alberta, while the central disc contains the provincial coat of arms. Members of the Order are entitled to use the initials A.O.E. after their names.

Order of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador was proclaimed in 2002 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting the province and its residents in an outstanding manner.

The honour is conferred annually by the Lieutenant Governor who is Chancellor of the Order. Each year, the Advisory Council may recommend, to the Chancellor, not more than eight Canadian citizens who are current or former long-term residents of the province to receive the Order.

In addition, an individual who is not a Canadian citizen or current or former long-term resident of the province but who has demonstrated excellence in his or her field of endeavour, and his or her endeavours have benefited in an outstanding manner the province and its residents, may be recommended to receive the Order as an honorary member.

Recipients of the Order are entitled to use the post-nominal O.N.L.

The insignia of the Order is a stylized pitcher plant, the floral emblem of Newfoundland and Labrador, with petals of labradorite, the mineral emblem of the province. In the centre of the pitcher plant is the shield of arms of Newfoundland and Labrador surmounted by the Crown. The ribbon of the Order is green, white, blue and gold.

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