The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers () is a Canadian

medal A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...

intended to honour volunteers who have made a significant and continual contribution to their community, either in Canada or abroad. The medal was initially conceived by

Governor General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

Roméo LeBlanc Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc (December 18, 1928June 24, 2009) was a Canadian journalist and politician who served as the 25th governor general of Canada from 1995 to 1999. LeBlanc was born and educated in New Brunswick, and also studied in France prior ...

as the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award and created in November 1995, to award volunteers. It was replaced on 15 July 2015 by the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

Eligibility and selection

The medal is intended for an individual whose unpaid, voluntary contributions, behind-the-scenes, provide extraordinary help or care to individuals or groups in the community. Nominees must have brought honour to Canada through their work, and may belong to any age group; recipients typically have not previously been recognized by a national honour. An independent advisory committee meets to review submissions. Once a nomination for a candidate is received, research is undertaken to confirm facts and a summary of information about each candidate is presented to the advisory committee for review. The committee submits recommendations to the governor general. The certificate and lapel pin are presented to recipients by a dignitary, such as a lieutenant governor, territorial commissioner, mayor, or the executive head of a non-profit organization. On rare occasions, the governor general presents the medal during regional visits. All previous recipients of the Caring Canadian Award received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. Administration of the selection process has been indefinitely paused since the onset of COVID-19, and no awards are currently made.Find Recipients
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References

{{Canadian Honours System Canadian humanitarian and service awards Awards established in 1995 1995 establishments in Canada Volunteering awards Volunteering in Canada

Eligibility and selection

See also

References