Awards and Recognition: Canada

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. The Officer of the Order of Canada (OC) recognizes achievement and merit of a high degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large.

Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. The Member of the Order of Canada (CM) recognizes a lifetime of distinguished service in or to a particular community, group or field of activity.

Established on 1 July 1972, the Order of Military Merit recognizes conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve. The Order comprises three levels: Commander (CMM), Officer (OMM), and Member (MMM). 

The Commander level is awarded for outstanding meritorious service in duties of great responsibility, typically to officers of Brigadier-General or Commodore rank and above. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters CMM. Only Canadian Forces members are eligible, and the Order is not awarded posthumously.

Established on 1 July 1972, the Order of Military Merit honours conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve. The Order includes three levels: Commander (CMM), Officer (OMM), and Member (MMM). 

The Officer level is awarded for outstanding meritorious service in duties of responsibility, usually to Majors to Colonels, with occasional Chief Warrant Officers or Chief Petty Officers First Class appointed by elevation. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters OMM. The Order is not awarded posthumously.

Founded on 1 July 1972, the Order of Military Merit honours distinctive merit and exceptional service by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve. The Order comprises three levels: Commander (CMM), Officer (OMM), and Member (MMM). 

The Member level recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty. The Governor General is the Order’s Chancellor and a Commander, and the Chief of the Defence Staff is its Principal Commander. Only Canadian Forces members are eligible, and the Order is not awarded posthumously.

Established in 1888 by Queen Victoria, the Order of St. John honours Canadians who have performed or are prepared to perform exceptional services for the Order, particularly through the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St. John Ambulance. 

The Commander grade is one of five levels within the Order. It is awarded for significant contributions and leadership within the Order. Members are typically admitted at a lower grade and promoted over time. His Majesty King Charles III is the Order’s Sovereign, and the Governor General is the Prior in Canada.

Established in 1888 by Queen Victoria, the Order of St. John honours Canadians who have performed or are prepared to perform exceptional services for the Order, particularly through the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St. John Ambulance. 

The Officer grade is one of five levels within the Order. It is awarded for notable contributions and dedication to the Order's mission. Members are typically admitted at a lower grade and promoted over time. His Majesty King Charles III is the Order’s Sovereign, and the Governor General is the Prior in Canada.

Established on 11 June 1984, the Meritorious Service Cross recognizes deeds performed in an outstandingly professional manner or of such a rare high standard that they bring considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Forces or to Canada. It has Military and Civil divisions. The Military division awards members of the Canadian Forces or foreign military forces; the Civil division awards any person (Canadian or non-Canadian). A silver bar is awarded for further merits; only one has been awarded. As of 29 January 1994, there have been 37 military awards (and one bar) and seven civil awards.

Established on February 2, 1993, the Medal of Military Valour recognizes acts of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy by members of the Canadian Forces or allied armed forces serving with them on or after January 1, 1993. It is part of the Military Valour Decorations family, which also includes the Victoria Cross (VC) and the Star of Military Valour (SMV). Subsequent awards are indicated by a gold bar with a maple leaf on the ribbon. The medal can be awarded posthumously.

Established on 1 May 1972 and first awarded on 20 July 1972, the Medal of Bravery recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. It is awarded to all Canadian citizens, including civilians and members of the Canadian Forces; non-Canadians may also receive the award under conditions similar to those for the Cross of Valour. A silver bar with a silver maple leaf in the centre denotes subsequent awards. The medal may be awarded posthumously. As of 19 February 1994, there have been 1,177 awards (12 posthumously) and four bars.

Administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall, the Meritorious Service Medal (military division) recognizes military deeds or activities performed in a highly professional manner or of a very high standard, bringing benefit or honour to the Canadian Forces. Military nominations are processed through the Department of National Defence and follow the chain of command in accordance with A-AD-200-000/AG-000—Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces. The medal is part of the Meritorious Service Decorations, which also include a civil division.

Originally established under the British Honours System, the Medal for Champion Shot was approved for awarding in Canada in June 1968. On August 28, 1991, it became part of the Canadian Honours System as the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot. Following King Charles III's accession, it was renamed the King's Medal for Champion Shot. Administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall, two medals are awarded annually: one to a member of the Canadian Forces (Regular) and one to a member of the Canadian Forces (Reserves) or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who achieve the highest scores in the competition.

During the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, the British Mentions in Despatches (MiD) recognized valiant conduct, devotion to duty, or other distinguished service by members of the Canadian Forces on active service. Recipients were mentioned in official reports ("despatches") and received a certificate but no insignia or post-nominal letters. Historically, Canadians received 5,467 MiDs in WWI, 9,666 in WWII, and 279 during the Korean War. The MiD served as a significant honour for distinguished service in combat during these conflicts.

Formally re-established in the Canadian Honours System by Her Majesty the Queen on June 3, 1992, the Mentions in Despatches (MiD) honours members of the Canadian Forces on active service and others working with them on or after November 1, 1990. It recognizes valiant conduct, devotion to duty, or other distinguished service in combat or near-combat conditions. Recipients receive a bronze oak leaf insignia worn on the designated ribbon and a citation certificate but are not granted post-nominal letters. The MiD may be awarded posthumously, and presentations are typically made by senior military officials on behalf of the Governor General.

Awarded by the Chief of the Defence Staff, this commendation recognizes deeds or activities beyond the demands of normal duty. It may be awarded to members of the Canadian Forces (CF), civilian members of the Defence Team who perform exceptional deeds under exceptional circumstances, and members of foreign armed forces for achievements or meritorious service benefiting Canada or the CF. There is no post-nominal for the CDS Commendation.

The Command Commendation recognizes members of the Canadian Forces and civilian Defence Team members who perform deeds or activities beyond the demands of normal duty. It may also be awarded, under exceptional circumstances, to members of foreign armed forces for achievements or meritorious service benefiting Canada or the Canadian Forces. The commendation is awarded by senior command authorities within the Canadian military. Recipients are honoured for exceptional contributions that exceed normal expectations, reflecting dedication and professionalism in their service.