Order of Canada

The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honors, established to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada was instituted as part of the centennial celebrations of Canadian Confederation. The motto of the Order is Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which translates to "They desire a better country."

History

The Order of Canada was established on July 1, 1967, by Queen Elizabeth II, on the advice of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. It was created to honor Canadians who have made significant contributions to the nation in various fields, including the arts, sciences, public service, and philanthropy.

Structure

The Order of Canada is divided into three grades:

• Companion (CC) - The highest grade, awarded for national pre-eminence or international service or achievement.
• Officer (OC) - Recognizes national service or achievement.
• Member (CM) - Honors outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity.

Nomination and Appointment

Nominations for the Order of Canada can be made by any person or group, and are reviewed by the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. The Council makes recommendations to the Governor General of Canada, who is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. Appointments are made by the Monarch of Canada on the advice of the Governor General.

Insignia

The insignia of the Order of Canada is a stylized snowflake, a symbol of Canada’s northern heritage. The badge is worn on a ribbon, with the colors red and white, reflecting the national flag of Canada.

Notable Recipients

Over 7,000 people have been appointed to the Order of Canada since its inception. Notable recipients include Terry Fox, Margaret Atwood, Wayne Gretzky, and Roberta Bondar.

Criticism and Controversy

The Order of Canada has occasionally been the subject of controversy, particularly regarding the selection process and the perceived political or cultural biases in the appointments. Some appointments have been criticized or declined by the recipients themselves.

Also see

• Governor General of Canada
• Canadian Honours System
• Order of Military Merit (Canada)
• Order of Merit (Commonwealth)

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