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
Gawthorn Kenneth 2012 Kitchener, Ontario
Geddes David 2012 Kingston, Nova Scotia
Gerrard Horace “Gerry” 2012 Victoria, British Columbia
Girardeau Marcel 2012 Shawinigan-Sud, Quebec
Glowachuk Harry 2012 Surrey, British Columbia
Goheen John 2012 Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
Gray Michael 2012 Omemee, Ontario
Grenier Bertrand 2012 St-Georges de Beauce, Quebec
Grimster Barbara 2012 Cornwall, Prince Edward Island
Groulx Robert 2012 Sherbrooke, Quebec
Guertin George 2012 Ottawa, Ontario
Guildford Margaret 2012 Glen Margaret, Nova Scotia
Guthrie Peter 2012 Regina, Saskatchewan
Hibbs Erna 2012 Simcoe, Ontario
Hogg William 2012 Mississauga, Ontario
Horrocks Dave 2012 Calgary, Alberta
Jarvie Neil 2012 Trail, British Columbia
Kavanagh Paul 2012 Laval, Quebec
Keates Mary 2012 Toronto, Ontario
Kobelsky Carolynne 2012 Regina, Saskatchewan
Lafortune Juliet 2012 Winnipeg, Manitoba
LeBlanc Wilfred 2012 Fredericton, New Brunswick
Lundin Richard 2012 Osoyoos, British Columbia
MacGregor Valerie 2012 North Vancouver, British Columbia
Mann Donald 2012 Saanichton, British Columbia