Encouraging excellence is one of the roles and responsibilities of a governor general. The governor general presents national honours and awards to recognize people who have demonstrated valour, bravery, excellence or exceptional dedication to service that brings credit to the country. Upon taking office, the governor general is invested in or presented with specific honours.
As such, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour may wear the following insignia in this order of precedence:
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The Order was created on July 1, 1967, to recognize Canadians who have made a difference to our country. Admissions and promotions in the Order recognize lifetime achievements. His Majesty King Charles III is Sovereign of the Order, and the governor general is its chancellor and Principal Companion. Ms. Arbour was first invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2007. On June 8, 2026, Ms. Arbour was invested as an extraordinary Companion of the Order. The post-nominals are C.C. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. |
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The Order of Military Merit was established on July 1, 1972, to recognize a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the members of both the regular and reserve components of the Canadian Armed Forces. His Majesty King Charles III is Sovereign of the Order, and the governor general is the chancellor and an extraordinary Commander of the Order. The chief of the Defence Staff is the Principal Commander of the Order. The post-nominals are C.M.M. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. |
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The Order of Merit of the Police Forces The Order of Merit of the Police Forces was created in 2000, to recognize the conspicuous merit and exceptional service of the members of the Canadian police forces. His Majesty King Charles III is Sovereign of the Order, and the governor general is the chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The post-nominals are C.O.M. The commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the Principal Commander of the Order. The collar of chancellor of the Order is presented to the governor general as part of the installation ceremony. |
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The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem Established in 1888, by Queen Victoria, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is a working order of charitably minded individuals whose philanthropy is expressed principally through its two foundations: the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and St. John Ambulance. The order was added to the Canadian Honours System in 1990. His Majesty King Charles III is the Order’s Sovereign and the governor general is its Prior in Canada. |
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Ordre national du Québec (Order of Quebec) (available in French only) The Ordre national du Québec was created on June 20, 1984, to honour the merits of individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to building and revitalizing Québec society. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Louise Arbour was appointed a Grand Officer of the Order in 2009. As a Grand Officer, she is entitled to place the post-nominal letters “G.O.Q.” after her name. |
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The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal Issued in 1992, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, this medal honours Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada. It was awarded to civilians as well as to members of the military, recognizing approximately 42 000 Canadians from all walks of life, from every region of Canada, from varied ethnocultural backgrounds and from a multitude of disciplines. |
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The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal was created in 2002, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne. The medal was awarded to Canadians who had made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole. |
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The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal This commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne. The medal was a tangible way for Canada to honour Queen Elizabeth II for her service to this country. At the same time, it served to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. |
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The King Charles III Coronation Medal The Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. |
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The Canadian Forces Decoration The Canadian Forces Decoration was created in 1949, to recognize 12 years of service and good conduct among members of the Canadian Armed Forces. As commander-in-chief of Canada, the governor general is entitled to the Decoration, which is usually presented by the chief of the Defence Staff during a private ceremony in the weeks following the installation. The post-nominals are “C.D.” |
At official ceremonies, the Governor General would usually wear the following insignia:
Companion of the Order of Canada, 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration. (These last five would be mounted together and worn on the left side of the chest).
For military or police events, she may wear the insignia of Commander of the Order of Military Merit or Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in place of the Order of Canada.
For investitures, she may also wear the collar of office as chancellor of the appropriate Order.
Head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority was created on June 4, 1988, the day on which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II issued Letters Patent empowering the governor general to exercise her Royal prerogative in heraldic matters for Canada. The ceremonial collar signifies the governor general’s role as head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority, the body responsible for creating and recording coats of arms, flags and badges in Canada. It is presented to the governor general during the installation ceremony, and may be worn by her for ceremonies at which she presents newly created heraldic emblems.
Ms. Arbour is also a recipient of several foreign awards, including the Spanish Order of Civil Merit, the Colombian National Order of Merit, the French Legion of Honour and the Belgian Order of the Crown.