Modern Honours of Canada (1972) - Companion of the Order of Canada (CC)

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Terms

The Order of Canada established as the centrepiece of Canada's system of honours to pay tribute to those who exemplify the highest qualities of citizenship and whose contributions enrich the lives of their contemporaries. Only Canadian citizens are eligible to be members of the order. The Queen of Canada is the Sovereign Head of the order and the Governor-General is the Chancellor and the Principal Companion. The order has three levels: Companion, Officer and Member. The order is not awarded posthumously.

Companion (CC): Awarded for outstanding achievement and merit of the highest degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large. Only fifteen Companions may be appointed in any one year with a maximum of 150 living Companions at any one time. The badge of a Companion is hung from a ribbon worn around the neck or from a bow on the left shoulder for women. They many use the post-nominal letters CC.

Half of the new entrants to the order are appointed in July of each year and the other half in December. Awards may be made at any time during the year as special circumstances require. There are no posthumous awards; the instrument of appointment must be signed by the Governor-General prior to the death of the recipient. The recipients' names are published in the Canada Gazette. Members may be elevated to Officers and Officers may be elevated to Companions but they hold only the rank of the elevation.

Description

A six-pointed snow flake enamelled white and edged in gold (CC/OC) or silver (CM) with an annulus enamelled red with the motto DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (they desire a better country) in gold (CC/OC) or silver (CM) lettering and surmounted by a St. Edward's Crown. In the centre is a maple leaf.

Companion (CC): 2.25 inches across; enamelled white and edged in gold; maple leaf is red.

Obverse

A maple leaf in red, gold or silver with an annulus which bears the motto DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM.

Reverse

The word CANADA within a circle and a serial number in a box below.

Mounting

Companion and Officer badges have a small link a the top of the upper arm with a small ring attached. A larger ring is attached to the small ring and the ribbon passes through this for wearing around the neck. The Member badge has a small link with a large ring attached through which the ribbon passes for wearing on the left breast. Awards to women may be worn on a bow.

Ribbon

A red ribbon, 1.5 inches wide, with a broad white centre (0.75"). In undress, the ribbon is worn with a red (ICC), gold (PC) or silver (CM) maple leaf at its centre. Miniature medals are worn when evening dress is appropriate.

Dates

Instituted 17 April 1967 with the first members appointed 01 July 1967, the original order had only Companions and a Medal of Service. On 01 July 1972, the Medal of Service was deleted and all holders were made Officers of the order. The levels of Officer and Member were introduced on 01 July 1972.

Naming

The badges are unnamed but each badges is numbered on the reverse.

Issued

+ includes 10 ex-officio members (Governors-General and their spouses);
++ includes all Medal of Service awards