Presentation of Decorations of Bravery

The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972. They recognize people who risk their lives and choose to defy their own instinct of survival to try to save a loved one or a perfect stranger whose life is in immediate danger.

The Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

On January 23, 2013, Thomas Blair, M.B., Wilbert Kent, M.B., and Robert Reid, M.B., rescued a woman who was in danger of drowning in the Thompson River, in Kamloops, British Columbia. The woman had fallen through the ice while trying to rescue her dog some 20 metres from the shore. Forming a human chain on the thin, fragile ice, Messrs. Blair, Kent and Reid managed to pull the victim out of the water and bring her to safety.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Blair was presented to him at a previous ceremony.

On August 23, 2014, Michael Lumahang, M.B., and Jesse Haw, M.B., came to the rescue of a young boy who was in danger of drowning in the Ottawa River, in Ottawa, Ontario. The victim had slipped on a rock and into the swift-moving water. Mr. Lumahang first attempted to reach the boy using a fishing rod but his efforts proved futile. Without any hesitation, and despite not knowing how to swim, he jumped into the turbulent water after the victim. Witness to the scene, Mr. Haw dove in to tow them both toward the riverbank. Unfortunately, the strength of the current forced him to let go of Mr. Lumahang, who disappeared beneath the surface and drowned.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to the late Michael Lumahang was presented to his mother, Mrs. Aquilina Conulibang Tremblay.

On September 29, 2013, Cadet Master Seaman Kristianna Barton, M.B., rescued a man who was in danger of drowning after he had fallen off a dock into Gull Lake, north of Kaladar, Ontario. Ms. Barton jumped into the cold water and made her way out to the victim, who could not swim. The man panicked and pushed Ms. Barton under the water several times, but she still managed to bring him back to the dock.

On October 22, 2011, constables James Elvish, M.B. and Bar, Ryan Krupa, M.B., Andrea MacInnis, M.B., and Kristofer Poling, M.B., rescued several people from a burning hotel in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After helping to evacuate occupants from another part of the building, these officers made their way to a three-storey tower attached to the hotel. Without any protective clothing or breathing apparatus, they made their way up to the third floor through the thick, black smoke. They checked every room and assisted the remaining occupants outside to safety.

This is the second Medal of Bravery awarded to Constable Elvish.

On January 31, 2014, Lester Grant Lehmann, S.C., defended 26 Canadian students from armed intruders in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Two men were trying to access the hotel rooms where the students were staying. When Mr. Lehmann confronted the assailants, they beat him and left him injured. Undeterred, he grabbed a bat and charged after the men, hitting one of them on the head and knocking him down. The other suspect shot Mr. Lehmann several times before he fled the scene, dragging his unconscious partner with him.

The Governor General presented 2 Stars of Courage and 41 Medals of Bravery at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday, October 28, 2016.

"You’ve shown compassion for complete strangers. You’ve shown us what love of your fellow citizen truly looks like. And though some stories come to a sad ending, I hope loved ones take some comfort in knowing that their final moments were not spent alone. Hero or victim, we all need to care for one another. Thank you for what you’ve done. It’s a privilege to honour you with the Decorations for Bravery."

The Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.

On June 6, 2015, Daniel Maisonneuve, M.B., rescued two individuals from the Ottawa River after their ultralight plane crashed near Masson-Angers, Quebec. From his boat nearby, Mr. Maisonneuve jumped into the water and swam to the wreck. He grabbed the first victim, who was floating in a pool of jet fuel next to the cabin, and brought him back to his boat. He then swam out a second time and dove underwater to unhook the seatbelt of the unconscious pilot. He then brought the individual to the surface and towed him to safety, seconds before the plane sank.