Governor General's Commendation for Bravery

The Governor General’s Commendation for Bravery was created by the Right Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn, in 1993, to honour acts of selflessness in hazardous circumstances.

Since then, more than 4,000 Canadians have been recognized with a commendation.

The Governor General’s Commendation for Bravery may be awarded to any Canadian or non-Canadian citizen who has performed a selfless act in hazardous circumstances in or outside Canada, which merits recognition as having been performed in the interest of Canada.

Description

The Governor General’s Commendation for Bravery pin consists of a cluster of frosted maple leaves. It measures 30 mm long and 10 mm wide at its widest point.

The Governor General’s Commendation for Bravery is accompanied by a gold-embossed scroll inscribed with the recipient’s name and signed by the governor general.

A silver pin on a black background. The pin consists of 3 maple leaves laying on top of the other.

Photo credit: MCpl Anis Assari, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2023

Wearing

The Governor General’s Commendation for Bravery may be worn on appropriate civilian attire and by members of uniformed organizations as provided by their respective dress regulations.

The Governor General’s Commendation ranks ahead of the Viceregal Commendation and below the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation.

The commendation is worn horizontally and centred on the left side, on the pocket of a dress jacket or thereabouts. The stem shall point to the wearer’s right with the stalk of the branch furthest from the left shoulder.