What is the Order of Canada?

The Order of Canada is the country's highest civilian honour, established by Queen Elizabeth II by Letters Patent on July 1, 1967 to mark the centennial of Confederation. The Order is a fellowship of those who have made a significant, sustained, and distinguished contribution to Canada. The Sovereign of the Order is the King of Canada and the Chancellor is the Governor General, currently Mary May Simon.

The Order has three levels. Companion (CC) is the highest, limited to 165 living Companions at any time, and is awarded for outstanding achievement and merit of the highest degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large. Officer (OC) is awarded for achievement and merit of a high degree, especially in service to Canada or to humanity at large, with up to 64 new Officers each year. Member (CM) is awarded for distinguished service in or to a particular community, group, or field of activity, with up to 136 new Members each year.

The Order's insignia is a stylised six-pointed snowflake of white-enamelled silver, gold, or sterling silver depending on level, set with a red maple leaf at the centre and the Royal Crown above. The motto, 'Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam' ('They desire a better country'), is drawn from Hebrews 11:16 and is engraved around the central red maple leaf. Insignia are presented at investiture ceremonies at Rideau Hall.

More than 8,000 Canadians have been appointed to the Order since its founding. Recipients have included Frederick Banting (posthumous, 1967), Lester B. Pearson (1968), Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1985), Roméo Dallaire (2002), Wayne Gretzky (1998), Margaret Atwood (1981), Tommy Douglas (1981), and Terry Fox (1980, posthumous). The Order is recorded in the Canadian Honours Directorate registry and appointments are published in the Canada Gazette.