Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation

Canadians from every walk of life provide outstanding volunteer service to Veterans, their communities and their country. In April 2001, the Governor General authorized the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation to formally recognize these Canadians’ contributions.

The Governor General Warrant states the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation be "...awarded to individuals who have performed commendable service to the Veteran community and/or individuals who represent commendable role models for their fellow Veterans."

The Commendation is awarded annually to deserving recipients.

Insignia and Wear

The Commendation consists of a certificate, a lapel pin for civilian wear and a bar for wear with decorations. The design is a gold maple leaf resting on a red poppy—a flower long associated with the sacrifices of war—and the Royal Crown on the top of the pin.

A recipient may wear the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation bar on their blazer, formal wear, etc., on occasions appropriate for wearing medals. A recipient should wear the bar below their official decorations.

A recipient may wear the Commendation lapel pin on civilian dress at any time.

Eligibility

Type of service to Veterans

We recognize the diverse scope and range of work performed in contribution to the care and well-being of Veterans, or to the remembrance of the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of Veterans.

Nominees

Eligible recipients must be:

  • an individual, not a group or couple, of any age;
  • a volunteer who made significant, sustained and unpaid contributions to their Veteran community; and
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent Canadian resident when nominated.

Posthumous award

The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation recognizes the efforts of living individuals. In the unfortunate circumstance a nominee is approved to receive this award, but passes away before the award has been presented, they may receive the award posthumously.

Frequency

Individuals may only receive the Minister’s Commendation once.

You may nominate an individual for the Commendation once in a given year. If a nomination is not successful, you may resubmit it for consideration in a subsequent year.

Recipients

 
Last Name First Name Year Location
Ambler Jack 2005 Regina, Saskatchewan
Anderson Howard 2005 Punnichy, Saskatchewan
Aucoin George 2005 Cheticamp, Nova Scotia
Bannister Fred 2005 Mount Pearl, Newfoundland & Labrador
Bishara Joseph 2005 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Boon Arthur 2005 Stratford, Ontario
Burdett Mary Ann 2005 Terrace, British Columbia
Cohen James A. 2005 Rexdale, Ontario
Couture Christian 2005 St. Gédéon, Quebec
Cove Thomas A. 2005 Victoria, British Columbia
Davidson David 2005 Kitchener, Ontario
Deane Leslie 2005 Burnaby, British Columbia
DesChamp Louis Jean 2005 London, Ontario
Dillabough Russell 2005 Deep River, Ontario
Doroshenko Frederick 2005 London, Ontario
Edison Ronald 2005 Toronto, Ontario
Ferlatte Aurèle 2005 Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Ford William C. 2005 St. John's , Newfoundland & Labrador
Genin J. Richard 2005 Laval, Quebec
Gillette Edward 2005 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Gillis John 2005 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Gray Larry 2005 Carleton Place, Ontario
Grenning John 2005 St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
Griezic Foster 2005 Victoria, British Columbia
Griffiths Edmund (Ted) R.M. 2005 Ottawa, Ontario