Insignia
Insignia worn by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
Encouraging excellence is one the roles and responsibilities of a governor general. The governor general presents national honours and awards to recognize people who have demonstrated valour, bravery, excellence or exceptional dedication to service that brings credit to the country. Upon taking office, the governor general is invested in or presented with specific honours. As such, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston may wear the following insignia in this order of precedence:
The Order of Canada
The Order was created on July 1, 1967, to recognize Canadians who have made a difference to our country. Admissions and promotions in the Order recognize lifetime achievements. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is its chancellor and Principal Companion. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1988 and was promoted to the Companion level in 1997. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.C.
The Order of Military Merit
The Order of Military Merit was established on July 1, 1972, to recognize a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of both the Regular and Reserve Forces. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is the chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The chief of the Defence Staff is the Principal Commander of the Order. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston became Commander of the Order on September 5, 2010, at Balmoral Castle, when Her Majesty The Queen invested him. He became chancellor of the Order upon taking office on October 1, 2010. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.M.M.
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces
The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was created in 2000 to recognize the conspicuous merit and exceptional service of the men and women of the Canadian police forces. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Sovereign of the Order and the governor general is the chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the Principal Commander of the Order. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston became Commander of the Order on September 5, 2010, at Balmoral Castle, when Her Majesty The Queen invested him. He became chancellor of the Order upon taking office on October 1, 2010. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. The post-nominals are C.O.M.
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
Established in 1888 by Queen Victoria, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is a working order of charitably minded men and women whose philanthropy is expressed principally through its two foundations, the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St. John Ambulance. The order was brought into the Canadian Honours System in 1990. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Order’s Sovereign and the governor general is its Prior in Canada.
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
Issued in 1992 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, this medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada. It was awarded to civilians as well as to members of the military, recognizing approximately 42 000 Canadians from all walks of life, from every region of Canada, from varied ethnocultural backgrounds and from a multitude of disciplines. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was among the Canadians honoured with this medal.
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
In keeping with tradition, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was created in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ascension of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. The Medal was awarded to Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was among Canadians honoured with this medal.
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
This commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston was presented with the medal by the Deputy Secretary of Honours on February 6th, 2012.
The Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration was created in 1949 to recognize 12 years of service and good conduct in the Canadian Forces. As commander-in-chief of Canada, the governor general is entitled to the Decoration, which is usually presented by the chief of the Defence Staff during a private ceremony in the weeks following the installation. The post-nominals are C.D.
At official ceremonies, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston is usually wearing the following insignia: Companion of the Order of Canada (around the neck), 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration (these last four being mounted together and worn on the left side of the chest). For military or police events, he may wear the insignia of Commander of the Order of Military Merit or Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in place of that of the Order of Canada. For investitures, he may also wear the collar of office as chancellor of the appropriate Order.
Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority was created on June 4, 1988, as a result of the Royal Letters Patent granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremonial collar indicates the governor general’s role as head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the body responsible for creating and recording coats of arms, flags and badges in Canada. It is presented to the governor general during the installation ceremony.
