Other governor general’s awards were created to celebrate the arts, literature, humanities, sciences and sports. More than 60 awards and trophies bear the names of governors general.
The Awards in Arts and Awards in Science and Humanities sections are administered by independent organizations but are still presented by the governor general.
When the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc became Governor General of Canada, he was determined to thank the thousands of caring people who give so much to their fellow citizens, the unsung heroes who volunteer their time, their efforts and a great deal of their lives to helping others, and who ask for nothing in return.
In April 1996, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award was created to recognize the fine example set by these special volunteers whose compassion and charitableness are such a part of the Canadian character.
This Volunteer Award honours Canadians for unpaid voluntary activities, most often behind the scenes at the community level. They have given extraordinary help or care to individuals, families or groups, or supported community service or humanitarian causes. Recipients usually have been involved in these activities for several years and normally have not been recognized with a national or provincial honour.
If you know a friend, neighbour or member of your community who deserves this unique honour, please complete a nomination form. There is no deadline for nominations and awards are announced in press releases on an ongoing basis.
The Award
The Award consists of a certificate and a lapel pin, which are presented to the recipients by the Governor General while travelling in Canada or by a delegate, such as a Lieutenant-Governor or a Territorial Commissioner; the maple leaf, supported by a helping hand and heart, symbolizes the people of Canada and their spirit; the heart depicts the open-heartedness of volunteers and caregivers; the hand is outstretched to represent boundless generosity.
Eligibility and Nominations
Any person or group is welcome to nominate a deserving individual – or a group if each member is equally eligible – as candidate for the Caring Canadian Award, our volunteer award. Nomination forms are available from the Chancellery, Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A1, or from toll-free line (1-800-465-6890)
The Chancellery of Honours keeps all nominations confidential to respect privacy and to avoid disappointment if the nominee is not selected. We ask that nominators and others involved respect this policy.
Nominations should be accompanied by biographical notes detailing the contributions of the nominee, including what the nominee has done and how the contribution has helped others, and dates of active participation in organizations. It is helpful to include the names of persons who could provide factual information about why the individual deserves the honour. It is also helpful to offer information on any other awards or honours earned by the nominee.
There is no deadline for nominations, as it is an on-going process. It takes a year to a year and a half for the nomination to be submitted to the Advisory Committee, made up of Canadians from across the country. Nominees must be Canadian citizens, preferably not related to the nominator.
All Canadian citizens are eligible for the Caring Canadian Award, and young people are particularly welcome. Political officials may be considered for the Award only after they cease to hold office. Posthumous nominations are not accepted.
Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive.
For more than 125 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are just some of the more than 50 000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a life of accomplishment.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze at the post-secondary, diploma level; Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.
Directives : The Governor General’s Academic Medal (524KB - PDF*)
Date published online: 2003-04-07
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In 2005, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, created the Governor General’s Northern Medal, a medallion to be awarded annually to a citizen whose actions and achievements have contributed to the evolution and constant reaffirmation of the Canadian North as part of our national identity.
Eligibility
Canadian citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to Canada’s northern communities in one or more fields; whose achievements have benefited the North; who have strengthened Canada’s recognition of this region and its peoples; or who have promoted a greater awareness and understanding of the North are eligible. An advisory committee consisting of seven representatives of Aboriginal and northern communities and/or individuals who have a special expertise or knowledge of northern affairs will advise the Governor General on the award and recommend recipients.
Description of the Medallion
The snowy owl represents a watchful guardian spirit whose flight symbolizes many possibilities arising from movement in different directions. The whole North and the splendours of its unique natural phenomena are encompassed by the aurora borealis. A small Canadian Arctic Diamond refers to the North Star. The aurora radiates around the diamond illustrating the diverse possibilities and discoveries found in the region and how they enrich us all in return. The crystal base recalls an iceberg, an icon of the power and beauty of the northern land and seascape.
The medallion measures 90 mm in diameter and was designed by Cathy Bursey-Sabourin, Fraser Herald.
On the reverse, the words "Governor General’s Northern Medal / La Médaille du Gouverneur général pour la nordicité" shall appear with the name of the recipient.
The Governor General’s Northern Medal is not part of the Canadian Honours System.
Recipients of the Medal to date are:
The Governor General’s Award in Celebration of the Nation’s Table recognizes and celebrates the outstanding efforts of Canadians in improving the quality, variety and sustainability of all elements and ingredients of our nation’s table.
The idea of the award was first proposed in 2006 by His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond at Cuvée, in Niagara. It was then discussed in a series of cross-Canada consultations with people working in all aspects of the nation’s table: farmers, chefs, cheese makers, researchers, culinary festival organizers, tea makers, teachers, students, hospitality professionals, writers, sommeliers, fishers, hunters and winemakers. Their feedback and enthusiasm were integral to the development of the award.
The award highlights the connection from farm to table and reinforce the bonds between all members of our society. It is based on values rather than sales figures, tasting notes, competition medals or critics’ reviews, and are intended to reach out to Canadians across the country and inspire them to think differently about what they buy, eat and drink.
Awards are presented to individuals and groups who inspire, teach and delight us with their contributions to the nation’s table, those with a passion for what links us together as Canadians… the cultural exchange that takes place around tables right across this country.
The nomination and adjudication process is overseen by an advisory committee of experts from across the country. There are five award categories that recognize achievement in creativity and innovation, education and awareness, leadership, mentorship and inspiration, and stewardship and sustainability. A sixth category, youth, recognizes a young person with potential to inspire peers to become contributors to the nation’s table.
Each award recipient receives a lapel pin and a framed certificate bearing the heraldic shield of the Governor General’s Award in Celebration of the Nation’s Table.
Creativity and Innovation
Recognizing those who have contributed original and distinct ideas, products, techniques or creations to the nation’s table that are imaginative and forward-thinking
Education and Awareness
Recognizing those who have raised awareness and increased our collective knowledge of the nation’s table to the enrichment of all
Leadership
Recognizing those who have led their peers, colleagues and fellow citizens to build stronger communities connected to the nation’s table in all its aspects
Mentorship and Inspiration
Recognizing role models and those who inspire their peers and fellow Canadians about the ways in which we think about, appreciate and participate in the nation’s table
Stewardship and Sustainability
Recognizing the fundamental role of the gatekeepers and caretakers of the nation’s table in safeguarding our environment, food security and health
Youth
Recognizing young Canadians who have shown immense potential to improve the quality, variety, awareness and sustainability of the nation’s table through creativity, innovation, inspiration, leadership and stewardship
The Governor General’s Awards in Arts are presented yearly by the governor general. Administration and selection of the recipients are under the responsibility of independent organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation. Please visit their respective Web site in order to review eligibility criteria, the nomination processes and list of previous recipients.
Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts
The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts are Canada’s foremost distinctions for excellence in visual and media arts. These awards were created in 1999 through a partnership of the Canada Council for the Arts and then Governor General, the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc (1927-2009), who committed Government House, in perpetuity, to host the gala ceremony at Rideau Hall in honour of the laureates. These awards are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards
The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards are Canada's foremost distinction for excellence in the performing arts. The awards recognize a stellar array of artists and arts volunteers for their outstanding lifetime contributions to Canada's cultural life. The awards were created in 1992, under the patronage of then Governor General the Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn (1934-2002). These awards are administered by the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation.
Governor General’s Literary Awards
The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and French-language books in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children's Literature (text), Children's Literature (illustration), and Translation (from French to English, and from English to French). These awards are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.
The Governor General’s Awards in Sciences and Humanities are also presented yearly by the governor general. Administration and selection of the recipients are under the responsibility of independent organizations such as the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, RAIC College of Fellows, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada’s National History Society, Status of Women Canada and the Michener Awards Foundation. Please visit their respective Web site in order to review eligibility criteria, the nomination processes and list of previous recipients.
Governor General’s Medals in Architecture
The Governor General’s Medals in Architecture recognize and celebrate outstanding design in recently built projects created by Canadian architects. The competition continues a tradition initiated by the Massey Medals, in 1950. This tradition has provided an important source of understanding of the nature of Canadian architecture, and the regional, cultural and historic forces which it expresses. The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, with the RAIC College of Fellows, is responsible for the organization and administration of the competition. The Canada Council for the Arts is responsible for selecting and administering the peer assessment jury.
Governor General’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History
The Governor General’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History were created in 1996, by Canada’s National History Society. It recognizes excellence in the teaching of Canadian history, inspires teachers and schools to strive for excellence in Canadian history education, and promotes the sharing of best practices. These awards are administered by Canada’s National History Society.
Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case
The Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case were created by the Government of Canada, in 1979, on the 50th anniversary of the Privy Council's historic decision that recognized women as persons. The awards salute Canadian contributions to the advancement of women’s equality and celebrate Canada’s evolution as an inclusive society. The awards are presented annually at a ceremony in October.
Recipients of these awards continue the tradition of courage, integrity and hard work inspired by the Famous Five Their efforts have advanced the cause of equality for girls and women in significant and substantial ways that have enriched their communities. These awards are administered by Status of Women Canada.
Michener Award
Launched in 1970, under the auspices of Canada’s third Canadian governor general, the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, the Michener Award focuses on the degree of public benefit generated by media projects, both large and small, in print and broadcast. The annual award is open to daily and weekly newspapers, periodicals, news agencies, and radio and television stations and networks. The winners are chosen on the basis of hard-hitting impact, journalistic professionalism and what resources were available for the project. These awards are administered by the Michener Awards Foundation.