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
Lilly William 2006 Petawawa, Ontario
Manson Paul 2006 Ottawa, Ontario
McKay John 2006 Dundurn, Saskatchewan
McKinnon Neil 2006 Midhurst, Ontario
McLean George 2006 Burnaby, British Columbia
Merrett Herbert 2006 Vancouver, British Columbia
Morrison Paul A. 2006 Woodstock, New Brunswick
Mourant Louis 2006 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Murphy Charles 2006 Westville, Nova Scotia
Nash George 2006 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
Penny Myles 2006 Thunder Bay, Ontario
Pepin Bernard 2006 Montréal, Quebec
Plumb Arthur 2006 Toronto, Ontario
Proteau Leonard 2006 Niagara Falls, Ontario
Rogers Ray 2006 Sarnia, Ontario
Rogers Roy 2006 London, Ontario
Sample Douglas Lloyd 2006 St-Laurent, Quebec
Seward Blake 2006 Smiths Falls, Ontario
Shields (1921-2010) James 2006 St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
Skinner Fred 2006 Niagara Falls, Ontario
Sparrow Joseph G. 2006 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
Strahl Nancy Hamer 2006 Port Perry, Ontario
Sullivan Joseph 2006 Peterborough, Ontario
Tucker Harry 2006 Winnipeg, Manitoba
Wallace Albert 2006 Toronto, Ontario