Approval of an Award of a Commonwealth and/or Foreign Order, Decoration or Medal to a Canadian Citizen
Circular Note No. XDC-2046 of November 10, 2010
Canada's Policy and Application Form Award-Decoration-Medal
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) presents its compliments to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i. accredited to Canada and has the honour of reiterating the policy respecting the awarding of an order, decoration or medal by a Commonwealth or foreign government.
The Department would like to clarify that Commonwealth or foreign governments wishing to award an order, decoration or medal to a Canadian citizen must obtain the prior approval of the Canadian government through their diplomatic mission accredited to Canada.
In this regard, the Department wishes to emphasize the importance of submitting a clear and detailed description of the meritorious acts that have prompted the Head of State to seek to decorate a Canadian citizen. Furthermore, in the specific case of an award bestowed upon an individual in the employ of Her Majesty in Right of Canada or of a province, it is essential to clearly explain how the services rendered by the recipient rise above the normal performance of official duties. It should be noted, as an additional condition of bestowing the honour, that meritorious acts must have taken place during the five years immediately preceding the mission’s request.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Office of Protocol) takes this opportunity to renew to Their Excellencies the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and notified Chargés d’affaires, a.i. accredited to Canada the assurances of its highest consideration.
OTTAWA, November 10, 2010
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