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
Everitt Wesley 2020 Chemainus, British Columbia
Feyko Michael 2020 Greater Lakeburn, New Brunswick
Forbes John 2020 Miramichi, New Brunswick
French Woodrow 2020 Conception Bay South, Newfoundland & Labrador
Garratt Greg 2020 Penetanguishene, Ontario
Grear Clarence W. 2020 Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia
Hamel Charles S. 2020 Calgary, Alberta
Hattie Brenda Joyce 2020 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Healy Joseph James 2020 Ottawa, Ontario
Helle Judi Marie 2020 London, Ontario
Hessler Richard William 2020 Cranbrook, British Columbia
Hill Arthur C. 2020 Calgary, Alberta
Hill Catriona (Katie) 2020 Calgary, Alberta
Hooper Mary 2020 London, Ontario
Kish Earl 2020 Kingston, Ontario
Landry Edla 2020 Vanscoy, Saskatchewan
Langford John 2020 Calgary, Alberta
Leblanc Cyrille 2020 Wedgeport, Nova Scotia
Lewis Reid 2020 Vancouver, British Columbia
Liptay Stuart 2020 Lower Cape, New Brunswick
Matthews Donald 2020 Calgary, Alberta
McKay Raymond 2020 Calgary, Alberta
Mould Kerry Robert 2020 Woodlawn, Ontario
Normand Réjean 2020 Rivière-à-Claude, Quebec
O’Rourke Patrick Joseph 2020 Outer Cove, Newfoundland & Labrador