OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in the inaugural presentation of the Diamond Jubilee Medal to 60 Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and country. The Prime Minister joined His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada to present the medals at Rideau Hall.
“Over the past 60 years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has served our country with distinction and dedication and continues to show Canada her generosity and affection,” said the Prime Minister. “These medals honour those Canadians who follow the fine tradition of service so exemplified by Her Majesty.”
The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in honour of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, to recognize Canadians from all walks of life who have made significant contributions to Canada or whose achievements abroad have brought credit to Canada . A total of 60,000 Diamond Jubilee Medals will be given to Canadians throughout the year.
The inaugural set of 60 medals was presented on the first day of Diamond Jubilee Week (February 6-12) which launches the Diamond Jubilee Year in Canada . This date commemorates Her Majesty The Queen’s accession to the throne on February 6, 1952.
This inaugural medal presentation is one of several events planned for the year. Other Diamond Jubilee celebrations include themed festivals and special events, as well as a host of community-based activities across the country.
The medal is administered by The Chancellery of Honours, which is part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
For details on the medal program, please refer to www.gg.ca
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Backgrounder
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: A Canadian Celebration
Throughout 2012, Canada is marking the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada. To celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, the Government of Canada has put in place several special initiatives to honour The Queen’s reign, her service and her dedication to this country and to celebrate Canadian achievements of the last 60 years.
In addition to the creation of the Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Government of Canada has invested in the following initiatives to celebrate this historic anniversary: a funding initiative that will enable community groups and organizations to develop their own unique, grassroots celebrations; a website and social media program; promotional products such as Diamond Jubilee paper flags, pins, and posters to promote the Diamond Jubilee and strengthen Canadians’ awareness of our institutions; and educational tools, including an update of A Crown of Maples, a publication that explains the role of the Crown in Canada and our constitutional monarchy.
This is only the second time in Canadian history that a Diamond Jubilee has been celebrated; the first was the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.
The Diamond Jubilee Medal
On February 6, 2011, Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled the design of the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personally approved the medal initiative and the design prior to the unveiling.
This new commemorative medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne. The Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty’s dedicated service to our country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. The medal program is part of the Diamond Jubilee Year celebrations, organized by the Government of Canada.
Commemorative medals, such as the Diamond Jubilee Medal, are established from time to time within the Canadian Honours System to mark special anniversaries or occasions. Since 1967, several Canadian commemorative medals have been created, including two Jubilee medals marking key anniversaries in Her Majesty’s reign as Queen of Canada (the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002). Other commemorative medals include the Canadian Centennial Medal (1967) and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992).
On February 6, 2012, the inaugural 60 Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented to the following Canadians who made significant contributions to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada , or whose achievements abroad have brought credit to Canada :
1. Tomas Avendano, Vancouver , British Columbia
2. Michael Ball, Montréal , Quebec
3. Maureen Basnicki, Thornbury , Ontario
4. Wanda Bedard, Montréal , Quebec
5. Teresa Berezowski, Toronto , Ontario
6. Michel G. Bergeron, C.M., O.Q., Québec, Quebec
7. Alexandre Bilodeau, Montréal , Quebec
8. Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Bishop, C.D. (Ret’d), Cobble Hill , British Columbia
9. Pierre Boileau, Montréal , Quebec
10. Major-General Lionel Bourgeois, C.M.M., C.D. (Ret’d), Trenton , Ontario
11. Melvin James Boutilier, C.M., O.N.S., Halifax , Nova Scotia
12. David A. Chalack, Balzac , Alberta
13. Clément Chartier, Ottawa , Ontario
14. Joël Chéruet, Gatineau , Quebec
15. Lieutenant(N) James W. Clute, C.D., Ottawa, Ontario
16. Gail Cyr, Yellowknife , Northwest Territories
17. Priscilla de Villiers, M.S.M., Burlington, Ontario
18. Corporal Ryan Doherty, Denwood , Alberta
19. Budhendranauth Doobay, O. Ont., Toronto , Ontario
20. Barney Ellis-Perry, North Vancouver , British Columbia
21. Alex Forrest, Winnipeg , Manitoba
22. Darrell Fox, Vancouver , British Columbia
23. Bruce Gitelman, Toronto , Ontario
24. Bryden Hutt, Yarmouth , Nova Scotia
25. Master Corporal Keven Thomas Iles, The Pas, Manitoba
26. Johnny Issaluk, Iqaluit , Nunavut
27. Roberta L. Jamieson, C.M., Ohsweken, Ontario
28. Major Gordon Jenkins, C.D. (Ret’d), Stittsville , Ontario
29. William Matthew Raistlen Jones, Whitehorse , Yukon
30. Melpa Kamateros, Mount Royal , Quebec
31. Chil-Yong Kang, London , Ontario
32. Captain Ray Kokkonen, C.D. (Ret’d), Trout Brook , New Brunswick
33. Veronica (Vonnie) Lavers, Kelowna , British Columbia
34. Huguette Lépine, Québec, Quebec
35. Captain Simon J. Mailloux, Ottawa , Ontario
36. Shawnee Main, Fredericton , New Brunswick
37. Captain E. Maria Mangnall-Schonert, C.D., Ottawa , Ontario
38. Patricia McDermott, Halifax , Nova Scotia
39. Peter P. M. Meincke, Manotick , Ontario
40. Bryna Monson, Ottawa , Ontario
41. Leslie Natynczyk, Ottawa , Ontario
42. Paul Nguyen, Toronto , Ontario
43. Constable Anne O’Shaughnessy, Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island
44. Master Warrant Officer Jean-Claude Parent, C.D., Ottawa , Ontario
45. Linda Patterson, Oromocto , New Brunswick
46. Tom Quinn, Beaconsfield , Quebec
47. Brigadier-General Bob Robert, C.D. (Ret’d), Brooklin , Ontario
48. Ronald Schlegel, Kitchener , Ontario
49. Rachel Scott-Mignon, Gatineau , Quebec
50. Maureen Shaw, Victoria , British Columbia
51. Master Seaman Christopher Mark Switzer, Victoria , British Columbia
52. Hannah Catherine Taylor, Winnipeg , Manitoba
53. Travis Toews, Beaverlodge , Alberta
54. Patricia (Pat) Varga, Unity, Saskatchewan
55. Kathryn Laura Whitfield, Toronto , Ontario
56. W. Brett Wilson, C.M., Calgary , Alberta
57. Sergeant Angela Wintonyk, C.D., Petawawa , Ontario
58. Pauline Wong, Montréal , Quebec
59. Lauren Woolstencroft, North Vancouver , British Columbia
60. Xinsheng (Simon) Zhong, Toronto , Ontario
A total of 60,000 Diamond Jubilee Medals will be given to Canadians throughout 2012 and up to February 28, 2013, the date on which the program closes. Medals will be presented to recipients by partners to the medal program (partners include the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Canadian Ministry, Members of Parliament, Senators, Lieutenant Governors/Territorial Commissioners, Premiers and non-governmental organizations).
The Nomination Process and Medals Ceremonies
The nomination process for the Diamond Jubilee Medal was launched in fall 2011.
To ensure that a wide range of endeavour is recognized, partners to the medal program have been invited to nominate candidates from their communities or organizations for this national honour.
Members of the general public are welcome to contact partners to the medal program to suggest names of candidates as well. Recommendations can also be made for individuals affiliated with non governmental organizations participating in this program. The deadline for partners to present nominations is December 31, 2012.
To be eligible for this medal, a person must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada . They must have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada , or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada .
The medal program is administered by The Chancellery of Honours, which is part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
The Medal
The medal, which is composed of nickel silver and features a proof finish was designed and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint and developed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority at the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.
The obverse depicts a crowned image of the The Queen, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the 60th (diamond) anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne. The Diamond Jubilee is depicted by the large central diamond, by the background diamond pattern, and by the dates 1952 and 2012. The imagery includes the Royal Cypher (the Royal Crown and the letters EIIR for Elizabeth II Regina), Canadian maple leaves, and the motto VIVAT REGINA (“Long live The Queen!”).
The ribbon reflects a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours of the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.
Further information on the recipients and the Diamond Jubilee Medal is available on the website of the Governor General of Canada : www.gg.ca
