Order of Precedence

The Canadian Honours System has rules in regards to the Order of Precedence of its various honours. The following are the Canadian Honours System post-nominals and Order of Precedence as of April 2, 1998’s Privy Council no P.C. 1998-591. 

Example of the Order of Precedence and the post-nominals: If someone was invested as a member of the Order of Canada and was also granted the Canadian Forces Decoration, he or she could add "C.M., C.D." after his or her name.

Policy regarding the wearing of non-authorized awards: Only the insignia of orders, decorations and medals officially awarded under the authority of the Crown or that the wearing of which has been authorized by the Crown may be worn. Only the actual recipient of an honour can wear its insignia; no family member or any person other than the original recipient may wear the insignia of an order, decoration or medal. Insignia that are purchased or otherwise acquired may be used for display purpose only and cannot be worn on the person in any form or manner.

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates an honour that has been approved since April 2, 1998.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

1. The sequence for wearing the insignia of Canadian orders, decorations and medals, and the post-nominal letters associated with the orders, decorations and medals, are the following:

  • Victoria Cross (V.C.)
  • Cross of Valour (C.V.)

NATIONAL ORDERS

  • *Order of Merit (O.M.)
  • Companion of the Order of Canada (C.C.)
  • Officer of the Order of Canada (O.C.)
  • Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.)
  • Commander of the Order of Military Merit (C.M.M.)
  • *Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (C.O.M.)
  • Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.)
  • Officer of the Order of Military Merit (O.M.M.)
  • *Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (O.O.M.)
  • Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (L.V.O.)
  • Member of the Order of Military Merit (M.M.M.)
  • *Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.)
  • Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.)
  • The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (all grades) 
    (post-nominal letters only for internal use by the Order of St. John)

PROVINCIAL ORDERS

TERRITORIAL ORDERS

DECORATIONS

  • Star of Military Valour (S.M.V.)
  • Star of Courage (S.C.)
  • Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.)
  • Medal of Military Valour (M.M.V.)
  • Medal of Bravery (M.B.)
  • Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.)
  • Royal Victorian Medal (R.V.M.)

MEDALS

  • *Sacrifice Medal

WAR AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDALS

(See section 5 for complete list.)

  • Korea Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
  • Gulf and Kuwait Medal
  • Somalia Medal
  • *South-West Asia Service Medal
  • *General Campaign Star
       *Allied Force
       *South-West Asia
       *Expedition
  • *General Service Medal
       *Allied Force
       *South-West Asia
       *Expedition
  • *Operational Service Medal
       *South-West Asia
       *Sierra Leone
       *Haiti
       *Sudan
       *Humanitas
       *Expedition

SPECIAL SERVICE MEDALS

  • Special Service Medal with Bars (see section 2)
       Pakistan 1989-90
       Alert
       Peace/Paix
       NATO/OTAN
       Humanitas
       *Ranger
       *Expedition
  • *Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal

UNITED NATIONS MEDALS

  • Service (Korea) (1950-54)
  • Emergency Force (Egypt/Sinai) (1956-67)
  • Truce Supervision Organization in Palestine (1948- ) and Observer Group in Lebanon (1958)
  • Military Observation Group in India and Pakistan (1948- )
  • Operation in Congo (1960-64)
  • Temporary Executive Authority in West New Guinea (1962-63)
  • Yemen Observation Mission (1963-64)
  • Force in Cyprus (1964- )
  • India/Pakistan Observation Mission (1965-66)
  • Emergency Force Middle East (1973-79)
  • Disengagement Observation Force Golan Heights (1974- )
  • Interim Force in Lebanon (1978- )
  • Military Observation Group in Iran/Iraq (1988-91)
  • Transition Assistance Group (Namibia) (1989-90)
  • Observer Group in Central America ((1989-92)
  • Iraq/Kuwait Observer Mission (1991- )
  • Angola Verification Mission (1988-97)
  • Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (1991- )
  • Observer Mission in El Salvador (1991-95)
  • Protection Force (Yugoslavia) (1992-95)
  • Advance Mission in Cambodia (1991-92)
  • Transitional Authority in Cambodia (1992-93)
  • Operation in Somalia (1992-93)
  • Operation in Mozambique (1992-94)
  • Observation Mission in Uganda/Rwanda (1993-94)
  • Assistance Mission in Rwanda (1993-96)
  • Mission in Haiti (1993- )
  • Verification of Human Rights and Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (1997-98)
  • *Mission in the Central African Republic (1998-2000)
  • *Preventive Deployment Force (Macedonia) (1995-99)
  • *Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995- )
  • *Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (Croatia) (1996- )
  • *Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (1999- )
  • *Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (1999- )
  • *Mission in East Timor and Transitional Administration in East Timor (1999- )
  • *Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1999- )
  • *Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (2000- )
  • *Stabilization Mission in Haiti (2004- )
  • *Operation in Côte D’Ivoire (2004- )
  • *Mission in Sudan (2005- )
  • *Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (2006- )
  • *Hybrid Mission with the African Union in Darfur (2007- )
  • *Mission in the Republic of South Sudan
  • *Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
  • Special Service (1995- )
  • *Headquarters

NATO MEDALS

  • *NATO Medal, with a “Former Yugoslavia” bar (1992-2002)
  • *NATO Medal with a “Kosovo” (KFOR) Bar (1992-2002)
  • *NATO Medal for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) (2001-2002)
  • *Article 5 NATO Medal for Operation “Eagle Assist” (2001-2002)
  • *Article 5 NATO Medal for Operation “Active Endeavour” (2001-2016)
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Operations in the Balkans (2003- )
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for the NATO Training Mission in Iraq (2004-2011)
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for NATO Logistical Support to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) (2005-2007)
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Service on Operations and Activities Approved by the North Atlantic Council in Relation to Africa (2008- )
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Service on NATO Operation “UNIFIED PROTECTOR - LIBYA” (2011- )
  • *Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Service with NATO in relation to Operation “SEA GUARDIAN” (2017- )

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION AND ORGANIZATION MEDALS

  • International Commission for Supervision and Control (Indo-China) (1954-74)
  • International Commission for Control and Supervision (Vietnam) (1973)
  • Multinational Force and Observers (Sinai) (1982- )
  • European Community Monitor Mission (Yugoslavia) (1991- )
  • *International Force East Timor (1999- )
  • *European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal / Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal

POLAR AND VOLUNTEER MEDALS

  • *Polar Medal
  • *Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

  • Canadian Centennial Medal (1967)
  • Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
  • 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
  • *Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
  • *Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS

  • R.C.M.P. Long Service Medal
  • Canadian Forces' Decoration (C.D.)

EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDALS

  • Police Exemplary Service Medal
  • Corrections Exemplary Service Medal
  • Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal
  • Canadian Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medal
  • Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal
  • *Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal

SPECIAL MEDAL

  • Queen's Medal for Champion Shot

OTHER MEDALS

  • Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship (O.M.C.)
  • Ontario Medal for Police Bravery
  • Ontario Medal for Firefighters Bravery
  • Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal (S.V.M.)
  • Ontario Provincial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
  • Service Medal of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem
  • Commissionaire Long Service Medal
  • *Newfoundland and Labrador Bravery Award
  • *Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Service Medal
  • *British Columbia Fire Services Long Service and Bravery Medals
  • *Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
  • *Alberta Centennial Medal
  • *The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals issued by the province of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, or Saskatchewan[1]

2. The Bar to the Special Service Medal is worn centred on the ribbon. If there is more than one Bar, they are spaced evenly on the ribbon with the most recent uppermost.

3. Commonwealth orders, decorations and medals, the award of which is approved by the Government of Canada, are worn after the Canadian orders, decorations and medals listed in section 1, the precedence in each category being set by date of appointment or award.

4. Foreign orders, decorations and medals, the award of which is approved by the Government of Canada, are worn after the orders, decorations and medals referred to in sections 1 and 3, the precedence in each category being set by date of appointment or award.

5. Notwithstanding sections 1, 3 and 4, a person who, prior to June 1, 1972, was a member of a British order or the recipient of a British decoration or medal referred to in this section, may wear the insignia of the decoration or medal together with the insignia of any Canadian order, decoration or medal that the person is entitled to wear, the proper sequence being the following:

  • Victoria Cross (V.C.)
  • George Cross (G.C.)
  • Cross of Valour (C.V.)
  • Order of Merit (O.M.)
  • Order of the Companions of Honour (C.H.)
  • Companion of the Order of Canada (C.C.)
  • Officer of the Order of Canada (O.C.)
  • Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.)
  • Commander of the Order of Military Merit (C.M.M.)
  • *Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (C.O.M.)
  • Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.)
  • Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.)
  • Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.)
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.)
  • Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)
  • Officer of the Order of Military Merit (O.M.M.)
  • *Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (O.O.M.)
  • Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (L.V.O.)
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)
  • Imperial Service Order (I.S.O.)
  • Member of the Order of Military Merit (M.M.M.)
  • *Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.)
  • Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.)
  • Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.)
  • Member of the Royal Red Cross (R.R.C.)
  • Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.)
  • Military Cross (M.C.)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.)
  • Air Force Cross (A.F.C.)
  • Star of Military Valour (S.M.V.)
  • Star of Courage (S.C.)
  • Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.)
  • Medal of Military Valour (M.M.V.)
  • Medal of Bravery (M.B.)
  • Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.)
  • Associate of the Royal Red Cross (A.R.R.C.)
  • The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (all grades)
    (post-nominal letters only for internal use by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem)
  • Provincial Orders (order of precedence as set out in section 1)
  • *Territorial Orders (order of precedence as set out in section 1)
  • Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.)
  • Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (C.G.M.)
  • George Medal (G.M.)
  • Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.)
  • Military Medal (M.M.)
  • Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.)
  • Air Force Medal (A.F.M.)
  • Queen's Gallantry Medal (Q.G.M.)
  • Royal Victorian Medal (R.V.M.)
  • British Empire Medal (B.E.M.)

WAR AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDALS

  • Africa General Service Medal (1902-56)
  • India General Service Medal (1908-35)
  • Naval General Service Medal (1915-62)
  • India General Service Medal (1936-39)
  • General Service Medal - Army and Air Force (1918-62)
  • General Service Medal (1962- )
  • 1914 Star
  • 1914-1915 Star
  • British War Medal (1914-18)
  • Mercantile Marine War Medal (1914-18)
  • Victory Medal (1914-18)
  • Territorial Force War Medal (1914-19)
  • 1939-1945 Star
  • Atlantic Star
  • Air Crew Europe Star
  • *Arctic Star
  • Africa Star
  • Pacific Star
  • Burma Star
  • Italy Star
  • France and Germany Star
  • Defence Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal
  • Newfoundland Second World War Volunteer Service Medal (see section 6)
  • War Medal (1939-45)
  • Korea Medal
  • Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
  • Gulf and Kuwait Medal
  • Somalia Medal
  • *South-West Asia Service Medal
  • *General Campaign Star
  • *General Service Medal

SPECIAL SERVICE MEDALS

(The order of precedence is as set out for the Special Service Medals in section 1.)

UNITED NATIONS MEDALS

(The order of precedence is as set out for the United Nations Medals in section 1.)

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION MEDALS

(The order of precedence is as set out for International Commission and Organization Medals in section 1.)

POLAR MEDALS

(The order of precedence is by order of date awarded.)

COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

  • King George V's Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
  • King George VI's Coronation Medal (1937)
  • Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation Medal (1953)
  • Canadian Centennial Medal (1967)
  • Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)
  • 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992)
  • *Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
  • *Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS

  • Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
  • Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
  • Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
  • R.C.M.P. Long Service Medal
  • Volunteer Officer's Decoration (V.D.)
  • Volunteer Long Service Medal
  • Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration (V.D.)
  • Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
  • Efficiency Decoration (E.D.)
  • Efficiency Medal
  • Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration (V.R.D.)
  • Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
  • Air Efficiency Award
  • Canadian Forces Decoration (C.D.)

EXEMPLARY SERVICE MEDALS

(The order of precedence is as set out for Exemplary Service Medals in section 1.)

SPECIAL MEDAL

Queen's Medal for Champion Shot

OTHER MEDALS

(The order of precedence is as set out for Other Medals in section 1.)

6. The Newfoundland Volunteer War Service Medal has the same precedence as the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.

7. The insignia of orders, decorations and medals not listed in this Directive, as well as foreign awards, the award of which has not been approved by the Government of Canada, shall not be mounted or worn in conjunction with the orders, decorations and medals listed in this Directive.

8. The insignia of orders, decorations and medals shall not be worn by anyone other than the recipient of the orders, decorations or medals.
 

[1]Recipients of multiple provincial Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medals are authorized to wear one of those medals, of the recipients' choice.

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