Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 149, Number 35: ORDERS IN COUNCIL

August 29, 2015

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent amending the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005

P.C. 2015-1051 June 30, 2015

Whereas, by letters patent issued on September 26, 2005, the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 were made;

Whereas letters patent did issue on December 6, 2007, amending the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, orders that letters patent do issue, under the Great Seal of Canada, amending the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 in accordance with the annexed schedule.

DAVID JOHNSTON

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on September 26, 2005, the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 were made;

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on December 6, 2007, the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 were amended;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these, Our Letters Patent, amend the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 in accordance with the annexed schedule.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these letters patent.

WITNESS:

Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved David Johnston, Chancellor and Principal Companion of Our Order of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Military Merit, Chancellor and Commander of Our Order of Merit of the Police Forces, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada.

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

SCHEDULE

1. (1) Paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Canadian Bravery Decorations Regulations, 2005 is replaced by the following:

(a) the Deputy Secretary to the Governor General, Chancellery of Honours, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee;

(2) Paragraphs 7(1)(c) to (g) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(c) the Deputy Minister of National Defence;
(d) the Deputy Minister of Transport;
(e) the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and
(f) not more than four additional members to be appointed as members of the Committee by the Governor General.

2. Subsection 9(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

9. (1) Any person or organization may submit to the Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours, for consideration by the Committee a nomination of a person for the award of a Canadian bravery decoration.

3. The portion of section 17 of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

17. The Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours, shall

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003

P.C. 2015-623 May 25, 2015

Whereas, by letters patent issued on May 10, 1972, the Order of Military Merit was instituted, erected, constituted and created in Canada;

Whereas those letters patent ordained, directed and appointed that the Order of Military Merit be governed by the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit annexed to the letters patent;

Whereas letters patent did issue on October 6, 1977, amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit;

Whereas letters patent did issue on December 5, 2003, repealing the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit and replacing it with the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003;

Whereas letters patent did issue on April 22, 2013, amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, orders that letters patent do issue, under the Great Seal of Canada, amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003 in accordance with the annexed schedule.

DAVID JOHNSTON

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on May 10, 1972, the Order of Military Merit was instituted, erected, constituted and created in Canada;

Whereas, by those letters patent, We ordained, directed and appointed that the Order of Military Merit be governed by the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit annexed to the letters patent;

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on October 6, 1977, the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit was amended;

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on December 5, 2003, the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit was repealed and replaced with the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003;

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on April 22, 2013, the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003 was amended;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these, Our Letters Patent, amend the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003 in accordance with the annexed schedule.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these letters patent.

WITNESS:

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

SCHEDULE

1. Subsection 10(5) of the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, 2003 is replaced by the following:

(5) The Governor General may appoint as Commanders, Officers and Members, in any year, a number of eligible persons that does not exceed 0.1% of the average number of persons who were members of the Canadian Forces during the preceding year.

2. Section 12 of the Constitution is replaced by the following:

12. The Governor General may appoint as Commanders, in any year, a number of eligible persons that does not exceed 5% of the total number of eligible persons set out in subsection 10(5) for that year.

3. Section 15 of the Constitution is replaced by the following:

15. The Governor General may appoint as Officers, in any year, a number of eligible persons that does not exceed 20% of the total number of eligible persons set out in subsection 10(5) for that year.

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent amending the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations

P.C. 2015-1050 June 30, 2015

Whereas, by letters patent issued on July 10, 1991, the Meritorious Service Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal, to be designated and styled the Meritorious Service Decorations, were instituted and created as awards for meritorious service;

Whereas those letters patent ordained, directed and appointed that the award of the Meritorious Service Decorations shall be governed by the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations, set out in the schedule to the letters patent;

Whereas letters patent did issue on March 7, 1994, amending the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, orders that letters patent do issue, under the Great Seal of Canada, amending the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations in accordance with the annexed schedule.

DAVID JOHNSTON

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on July 10, 1991, the Meritorious Service Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal, to be designated and styled the Meritorious Service Decorations, were instituted and created as awards for meritorious service;

Whereas, by those letters patent, We ordained, directed and appointed that the award of the Meritorious Service Decorations shall be governed by the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations, set out in the schedule to the letters patent;

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on March 7, 1994, the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations were amended;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these, Our Letters Patent, amend the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations in accordance with the annexed schedule.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these letters patent.

WITNESS:

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

SCHEDULE

1. (1) The portion of subsection 8(1) of the English version of the Meritorious Service Decorations Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

8. (1) A Military Advisory Committee is established to consider the award of Meritorious Service Decorations in the military division and that Committee shall be composed of

(2) Paragraphs 8(1)(a) and (b) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(a) a person appointed as a member of the Committee by the Governor General;
(b) the Chief of the Defence Staff, who shall be the chairperson of the Committee; and
(c) not more than four additional persons who are members of the Canadian Forces, appointed as members of the Committee by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

(3) Section 8 of the Regulations is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):

(1.1) Despite paragraph (1)(b), the Chief of the Defence Staff may designate one of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(c) to be the chairperson of the Committee.

2. (1) The portion of subsection 9(1) of the English version of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

9. (1) A Civil Advisory Committee is established to consider the award of Meritorious Service Decorations in the civil division and that Committee shall be composed of

(2) Paragraphs 9(1)(a) to (d) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(a) the Deputy Secretary to the Governor General, Chancellery of Honours, who shall be the chairperson of the Committee;
(b) a senior representative of the Privy Council Office appointed as a member of the Committee by the Governor General;
(c) a senior representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development appointed as a member of the Committee by the Governor General;
(d) a senior representative of the Department of National Defence appointed as a member of the Committee by the Governor General; and
(e) not more than seven other persons appointed as members of the Committee by the Governor General.

(3) Subsections 9(2) to (4) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(2) The Governor General appoints members of the Committee who are referred to in paragraphs (1)(b) to (e) for a term of three years and may extend their term for a maximum period of three years for each reappointment.

(3) A member of the Committee who is referred to in one of paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) may designate an alternate to act as a member of the Committee in the event that the member is absent or unable to act in that capacity.

3. Subsection 10(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

10. (1) In respect of awards in the military division, the Chief of the Defence Staff shall establish the procedure for the submission to the Military Advisory Committee established under section 8 of the name of a person referred to in subsection 5(1) for the award of a Meritorious Service Decoration.

4. Section 11 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

11. (1) In respect of awards in the civil division, any person may submit, in writing, to the Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours, the name of a person referred to in subsection 5(2) for the award of a Meritorious Service Decoration.

(2) The Director of Honours shall transmit to the Civil Advisory Committee established under section 9 the name of any person, submitted under subsection (1), who is eligible for the award of a Meritorious Service Decoration.

5. (1) The portion of section 21 of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

21. The Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours, shall

(2) Paragraph 21(e) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(e) arrange for the names of persons receiving a Meritorious Service Decoration to be published in the Canada Gazette;

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent amending the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations

P.C. 2015-1049 June 30, 2015

Whereas, by letters patent issued on June 22, 2004, the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal was instituted and created in Canada;

Whereas those letters patent ordained, directed and appointed that the description and eligibility criteria of this medal shall be provided for by the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations, annexed to the letters patent;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, orders that letters patent do issue under the Great Seal of Canada, amending the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations in accordance with the annexed schedule.

DAVID JOHNSTON

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas, by Our letters patent issued on June 22, 2004, the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal was instituted and created in Canada;

Whereas, by those letters patent, We ordained, directed and appointed that the description and eligibility criteria of this medal shall be provided for by the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations, annexed to the letters patent;

And whereas it is desirable and Our Privy Council for Canada has advised that letters patent do issue amending the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these, Our Letters Patent, amend the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations in accordance with the annexed schedule.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused the Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these letters patent.

WITNESS:

AT OUR GOVERNMENT HOUSE, in Our City of Ottawa, this sixth day of August in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

SCHEDULE

1. Paragraph 4(f) of the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal Regulations is replaced by the following:

(f) on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, any other federal, provincial or municipal organization that employs peace officers.

2. Paragraph 5(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(a) was an employee
- (i) of a listed organization, which is a federal or provincial organization, on or after September 22, 1998, or
- (ii) of a listed organization, which is a municipal organization, on or after August 1, 2009;

3. Subsection 8(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

8. (1) An Advisory Committee is established and that Committee shall be composed of

(a) a senior representative of each organization referred to in paragraphs 4(a) and (c) to (e); and
(b) for the purpose of assisting the Committee in fulfilling its mandate referred to in subsection (2), a senior representative of each of not more than three organizations referred to in paragraph 4(f), which organizations are chosen by a majority of senior representatives referred to in paragraph (a).

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent creating the Polar Medal

P.C. 2015-796 June 10, 2015

Whereas the Government of Canada considers it desirable that a medal be created for the purpose of according recognition to persons who render extraordinary services in the polar regions and the North;

And whereas the creation of a Canadian honour is properly of concern to Her Majesty as Queen of Canada;

Therefore, His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, advises Her Majesty the Queen that letters patent, to which Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to affix Her signature, do issue under the Great Seal of Canada, providing that

(a) on, from and after the day on which Her Majesty affixes Her signature to those letters patent there shall be created in Canada a medal designated and styled the Polar Medal, which Medal shall be governed by the annexed Polar Medal Regulations; and
(b) these Regulations may be amended or repealed by letters patent issued by Her Majesty or Her heirs and successors or the Governor General of Canada on Her behalf.

ELIZABETH R.

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

To all to whom these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas the Government of Canada considers it desirable that Letters Patent do issue creating a medal for the purpose of according recognition to persons who render extraordinary services in the polar regions and the North;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these presents create a medal to be designated the Polar Medal.

And We direct that the medal shall be governed by the annexed Polar Medal Regulations and that those Regulations may from time to time be amended or repealed by letters patent issued by Us, Our heirs and successors or Our Governor General of Canada on Our behalf.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused Our Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these Letters Patent, which We have signed with Our Royal Hand.

GIVEN the 19^th day of June in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND,

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

POLAR MEDAL REGULATIONS

INTERPRETATION

1. The following definitions apply in these Regulations.

“Bar” means the Bar described in subsection 2(2). (barrette)

“Committee” means the Polar Medal Advisory Committee established under subsection 5(1). (Conseil)

“Director” means the Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours. (directeur)

“Medal” means the Polar Medal described in subsection 2(1). (médaille)

“Northern Canada” means the regions of Canada where northern conditions prevail, including

(a) Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; and
(b) parts of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. (nord du Canada)

“polar region” means the following regions where the rigours of the polar climate prevail:

(a) the regions north of 67° N parallel of latitude; and
(b) the regions south of 60° S parallel of latitude. (région polaire)

“recognized expedition” means any expedition in a polar region that is led by a Canadian citizen or Canadian entity or led or recognized by the Government of Canada. (expédition reconnue)

“Sovereign” means “Her Majesty”, “His Majesty”, “the Queen”, “the King” or “the Crown” as defined in subsection 35(1) of the Interpretation Act. (souverain)

DESCRIPTION

2. (1) The Polar Medal

(a) shall consist of a silver octagonal medal that is 36 mm in diameter with a suspension bar adorned with a representation of the North Star, with limbs evoking strong winds, water currents and the aurora borealis;
(b) shall bear
- (i) on the obverse, a contemporary effigy of the Sovereign, circumscribed with the inscription in capital letters of the Canadian Royal Title and the word “CANADA”, separated by two maple leaves; the edge of the obverse shall be decorated with small denticles,
- (ii) on the reverse, a representation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Schooner St. Roch depicted in the Arctic near a tall iceberg and two crew members standing on the ice, and
- (iii) on the rim, the name of the recipient; and
(c) shall be suspended from a watered white ribbon that is 32 mm in width.

(2) Each subsequent award of the Medal to the same person shall be indicated by a Bar, which shall be in silver with raised edges and shall bear a centred silver maple leaf.

ELIGIBILITY

3. (1) A person, whether or not they are a Canadian citizen, is eligible to be awarded the Medal or the Bar if the person

(a) has, by their participation in or contribution to a recognized expedition,
- (i) made a significant contribution to the knowledge or exploration of a polar region,
- (ii) made a significant scientific contribution relating to a polar region,
- (iii) made a significant contribution to securing Canada's northern sovereignty, or
- (iv) given outstanding service in support of any of the contributions referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (iii); or
(b) has, on or after August 1, 2009,
- (i) made an outstanding contribution to a community in Northern Canada, or
- (ii) strengthened Canada's awareness and understanding of Northern Canada and its peoples.

(2) The Medal and the Bar may not be awarded under paragraph (1)(a),

(a) except in exceptional circumstances, to a person who has spent a cumulative period of less than 180 days in a polar region, on or after August 1, 2009, in the course of or in connection with a recognized expedition; or
(b) to a person who has been awarded another Canadian honour with respect to the same contribution.

(3) A Medal or Bar may only be awarded under paragraph (1)(b) to a person who is alive on the day on which the Governor General signs the instrument of award.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

4. Any person may submit to the Director a nomination of a person who is eligible to be awarded the Medal or Bar under section 3, and the Director shall transmit the nomination to the Committee for consideration.

COMMITTEE

5. (1) The Polar Medal Advisory Committee is established and shall be composed of

(a) the Director, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee; and
(b) not more than four other persons who shall be appointed as members of the Committee by the Governor General.

(2) The Governor General shall appoint a member of the Committee under paragraph (1)(b) for a term of one year and may renew their term for a maximum period of three years for each reappointment.

6. The Committee shall

(a) consider the nominations transmitted by the Director under section 4 and determine the eligibility of the nominees;
(b) submit to the Governor General a list of the nominees who, in the opinion of the Committee, meet the criteria for eligibility; and
(c) advise the Governor General on any matters concerning the award of the Medal or Bar that the Governor General may refer to the Committee for its consideration.

AWARD

7. An award of the Medal or Bar shall be made, on the recommendation of the Committee, by the Governor General, who signs an instrument of award.

EXCEPTIONAL AWARDS

8. Despite section 3, the Governor General may award the Medal or Bar in exceptional circumstances.

PRESENTATION

9. Unless the Governor General directs otherwise, the Medal or the Bar shall be presented to the recipient as arranged by the Director.

WEARING OF MEDAL AND BAR

10. The Medal shall be worn on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon described in paragraph 2(1)(c), in accordance with the order of precedence determined by the Governor in Council.

11. The Bar shall be worn centred on the ribbon described in paragraph 2(1)(c) and, in the case where more than one Bar is worn, they shall be spaced evenly on the ribbon.

12. A person to whom the Medal has been awarded may wear a miniature of the Medal on all occasions when the wearing of miniatures is customary.

ADMINISTRATION

13. The Director shall

(a) prepare the instruments of award for signature by the Governor General;
(b) acquire the Medals and Bars and have the name of the recipients engraved on the Medals;
(c) maintain a register containing the names of the recipients of the Medals and Bars and any other records relating to an award that the Director considers necessary;
(d) arrange for the presentations of the Medals and Bars; and
(e) perform any other functions in respect of awards of the Medal or Bar that the Governor General may require.

CANCELLATION AND REINSTATEMENT

14. (1) The Governor General may, on the recommendation of the Chancellery of Honours,

(a) cancel the award of a Medal or Bar to any person; or
(b) reinstate the award of the Medal or Bar that has been cancelled under paragraph (a).

(2) If the award of a Medal or Bar is cancelled, the name of the person to whom the Medal or Bar was awarded shall be deleted from the register referred to in paragraph 13(c).

GENERAL

15. Nothing in these Regulations limits the right of the Governor General to exercise all of the powers and authorities of the Sovereign in respect of the Medal or Bar.

16. The Governor General may make ordinances respecting the Medal or Bar.

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Letters patent creating the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

P.C. 2015-797 June 10, 2015

Whereas the Government of Canada considers it desirable that a medal be created for the purpose of according recognition to volunteers who have made a significant and sustained contribution;

And whereas the creation of a Canadian honour is properly of concern to Her Majesty as Queen of Canada;

(a) on, from and after the day on which Her Majesty affixes Her signature to those letters patent there shall be created in Canada a medal designated and styled the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, which Medal shall be governed by the annexed Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers Regulations; and
(b) these Regulations may be amended or repealed by letters patent issued by Her Majesty or Her heirs and successors or the Governor General of Canada on Her behalf.

ELIZABETH R.

[Great Seal of Canada]

CANADA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories QUEEN, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM these presents shall come or whom the same may in any way concern,

GREETING:

Whereas the Government of Canada considers it desirable that Letters Patent do issue creating a medal for the purpose of according recognition to volunteers who have made a significant and sustained contribution;

Now know you that We, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council for Canada, do by these presents create a medal to be designated the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

And We direct that the medal shall be governed by the annexed Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers Regulations and that those Regulations may from time to time be amended or repealed by letters patent issued by Us, Our heirs and successors or Our Governor General of Canada on Our behalf.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and We have caused Our Great Seal of Canada to be affixed to these Letters Patent, which We have signed with Our Royal Hand.

GIVEN the 19^th day of June in the year of Our Lord two thousand and fifteen and in the sixty-fourth year of Our Reign.

BY HER MAJESTY'S COMMAND,

STEPHEN HARPER

PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

SOVEREIGN'S MEDAL FOR VOLUNTEERS REGULATIONS

INTERPRETATION

1. The following definitions apply in these Regulations.

“Committee” means the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers Committee established under subsection 5(1). (conseil)

“Director” means the Director of Honours, Chancellery of Honours. (directeur)

“Medal” means the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers described in section 2. (médaille)

“Sovereign” means “Her Majesty”, “His Majesty”, “the Queen”, “the King” or “the Crown” as defined in subsection 35(1) of the Interpretation Act. (souverain)

DESCRIPTION

2. The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers

(a) shall consist of a silver circular medal that is 36 mm in diameter with a suspension ring;
(b) shall bear
- (i) on the obverse, a contemporary effigy of the Sovereign, circumscribed with the inscription in capital letters of the Canadian Royal Title and the word “CANADA”, separated by two maple leaves, and
- (ii) on the reverse, a large and a small heart interlaced, set with five maple leaves on the outer edge of the large heart which is surmounted by a coronet bearing three maple leaves; the edge of the reverse shall be decorated with a sunburst pattern; and
(c) shall be suspended from a ribbon that is 32 mm in width, the edges of which shall consist of 9.25 mm deep red stripes and the centre of which shall consist of five 1.5 mm gold stripes interspersed with four 1.5 mm blue stripes.

ELIGIBILITY

3. (1) The following persons are eligible to be awarded the Medal:

(a) any person who is a Canadian citizen who, on or after August 1, 2009, has made a significant, sustained and unpaid contribution to their community in Canada or abroad;
(b) any person who is not a Canadian citizen who, on or after August 1, 2009, has made a significant, sustained and unpaid contribution to a community in Canada or to a community abroad, if it brings benefit or honour to Canadians or Canada; and
(c) any recipient of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award.

(2) The Medal may be awarded to a person posthumously if that person

(a) is a person referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) and is alive on the day on which the Governor General signs their instrument of award; or
(b) is a person referred to in paragraph (1)(c).

(3) The Medal shall be awarded to a person only once.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

4. Any person may submit to the Director a nomination of a person who is eligible to be awarded the Medal under section 3, and the Director shall transmit the nomination to the Committee for consideration.

COMMITTEE

5. (1) The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers Committee is established and shall be composed of

(a) the Director, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee; and
(b) not more than seven other persons who shall be appointed as members of the Committee by the Governor General.

(2) The Governor General shall appoint a member of the Committee under paragraph (1)(b) for a term of one year and may renew their term for a maximum period of three years for each reappointment.

6. The Committee shall

(a) consider the nominations transmitted by the Director under section 4 and determine the eligibility of the nominees;
(b) submit to the Governor General a list of the nominees who, in the opinion of the Committee, meet the criteria for eligibility; and
(c) advise the Governor General on any matters concerning the award of the Medal that the Governor General may refer to the Committee for its consideration.

ORGANIZATIONS

7. The Director shall establish and maintain a list containing the names of organizations that, in the Director's opinion, may submit to the Governor General the nomination of persons eligible to be awarded the Medal.

AWARD

8. An award of the Medal shall be made, on the recommendation of the Committee or an organization that is set out on the list referred to in section 7, by the Governor General, who signs an instrument of award.

EXCEPTIONAL AWARDS

9. Despite section 3, the Governor General may award the Medal in exceptional circumstances.

PRESENTATION

10. Unless the Governor General directs otherwise, the Medal shall be presented to the recipient as arranged by the Director.

WEARING OF MEDAL

11. The Medal shall be worn on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon described in paragraph 2(c), in accordance with the order of precedence determined by the Governor in Council.

12. A person to whom the Medal has been awarded may wear a miniature of the Medal on all occasions when the wearing of miniatures is customary.

ADMINISTRATION

13. The Director shall

(a) prepare the instruments of award for signature by the Governor General;
(b) acquire the Medals;
(c) maintain a register containing the names of the recipients of the Medals and any other records relating to an award that the Director considers necessary;
(d) arrange for the presentations of the Medals; and
(e) perform any other functions in respect of awards of the Medal that the Governor General may require.

CANCELLATION AND REINSTATEMENT

14. (1) The Governor General may, on the recommendation of the Chancellery of Honours,

(a) cancel the award of a Medal to any person; or
(b) reinstate the award of a Medal that has been cancelled under paragraph (a).

(2) If the award of a Medal is cancelled, the name of the person to whom it was awarded shall be deleted from the register referred to in paragraph 13(c).

GENERAL

15. Nothing in these Regulations limits the right of the Governor General to exercise all of the powers and authorities of the Sovereign in respect of the Medal.

16. The Governor General may make ordinances respecting the Medal.

[35-1-o]