Medals, Honours & National Awards

Army, Navy And Air Force Veterans In Canada (ANAVETS) Cadet Medal Of Merit

The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS), as a legacy to its desire to promote excellence and awareness of the Canadian Cadet Organization (CCO), have established the ANAVETS Cadet Medal of Merit). One medal will be awarded to the Top Cadet, male or female for Instructor Level courses listed below at each CSTC even if the cadet has already received the ANAVETS Cadet Medal of Merit for another course. Cadets who receive more than one ANAVETS medal are authorized to wear only one ANAVETS medal on their uniform.

• Drill and Ceremonial Instructor Course

• Fitness and Sports Instructor Course

• Survival Instructor Course

• Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course

• Military Band – Advanced Musician Course

• Pipe Band – Advanced Musician Course
  
  

The selection of the recipients shall be based on the following criteria:

• Overall Achievement

• Leadership Qualities

• Instructional Abilities

• Dress, Deportment and Motivation

• Cooperation with Others

Air Force Association of Canada Medal

The Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC) has established annual awards to be presented to Air cadets for excellence demonstrated on the Glider Pilot Scholarship (GPS) and the Power Pilot Scholarship (PPS). One medal shall be awarded to the top cadet, male or female, on both the GPS and the PPS at each of the five Regional Gliding Schools; this means five medals for the GPS and five medals for the PPS for a total of ten medals each year.

Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence

The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Cadet Medal of Excellence is awarded in recognition for individual endeavours in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement. The Royal Canadian Legion sponsors the program. 

Selection Criteria:

• Met all the requirements of the squadrons annual mandatory and optional training programs. 

• Participated in a minimum of three community service events in addition to those supported by the cadet unit through its local corps / squadron program. 

• Regarded by peers and superiors as exemplifying the model cadet.

• Enhanced the cadet squadron through:
  
  

1. Cooperation with peers and subordinates.

2. Comradeship, 

3. Promoting goodwill and morale within the squadron. 

4. Aiding in the development of group identity and cohesiveness.

5. Supporting and assisting fellow squadron members.

6. His/her involvement in the local community. 

Each Air Cadet Squadron may award one RCLCME each training year, provided a worthy candidate is available. The main theme in awarding the RCLCME is to emphasize the citizenship aspects of the Cadet program. The Squadron Commanding Officer is the approving authority for the award of the medal, but he is encouraged to seek the active participation of the local Legion authorities. The RCLCME will normally be presented by a suitable Legion representative at the Squadron’s annual ceremonial review.

Lord Strathcona Medal

The Lord Strathcona Trust Fund Medal, most commonly referred to as the Lord Strathcona Medal, is the highest award which can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training. The medal, Certificate of Merit, and the lapel pin are awarded by the Lord Strathcona Trust.

Medal Objectives:

• Encourage the improvement of the physical and intellectual capabilities of cadets

• Foster patriotism in cadets through the acquisition of a good knowledge of military matters.
  
  

Selection Criteria:

• Have a high level of physical fitness

• Have completed three years as a cadet/JCR

• Have completed all requirements of their corps/sqn/patrol training program in the year of nomination

• Be regarded by peers and supervisors as exemplifying the model cadet

Cadet Medal of Bravery

The Cadet Award of Bravery may be awarded to a cadet who performs an outstanding deed of valour involving risk of life in attempting to save the life or property of others.

Awarding of the Cadet Award of Bravery is governed by the following terms:

1. the Cadet Corps Commanding Officer (CO) is the nominating authority for awarding of the Cadet Award of Bravery and he/she shall obtain the concurrence of the local sponsoring committee and provincial League;

2. the recommendation, together with the League and sponsoring committee concurrence, shall be forwarded through RCSUs for onward transmission to D Cdts & JCR; and

3. the approving authority is the National Cadet Honours and Awards Committee.

Colonel Robert Perron Fitness Award

Recognizing and rewarding cadet achievements are essential aspects of youth development. Furthermore, an award related to physical fitness is particularly important considering the related aim and associated participant outcome within the Cadet Program Mandate in CATO 11-03.

The Colonel-Robert-Perron Award for Excellence in Physical Fitness (hereinafter referred to as the “Perron Award”) is a national award that is presented annually to the top male and female cadets who demonstrate the best physical fitness.

The Perron Award is based on the fitness components for the Cadet Fitness Assessment Incentive Program described in CATO 14-18 and graded using the Perron Award Scoring Matrix available at Appendix 1.

Any cadet aged 15 or older can voluntarily undergo the physical fitness test and apply for the Perron Award.

​Perron Award Scoring Matrix Standards

​Application Colonel Robert Perron Awards

Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)

The Canadian Forces’ Decoration is awarded to Officers and Non-Commissioned Members (NCM) of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of service. The decoration is awarded to all ranks, who have a good record of conduct.

King Charles III Coronation Medal

The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a Canadian commemorative medal that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or a specific community: 

Eligibility
Recipients must have been alive on May 6, 2023, the date of the King's coronation. They must also not have been convicted of a criminal offense or sanctioned by a professional or other adjudicating body.

Contributions
Recipients must have made a significant contribution to Canada, a province, territory, region, or community. They may also be recognized for an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Medal Design
The medal features a 12 mm ring that holds a 32 mm ribbon with a red stripe in the center, white stripes on either side, dark blue stripes, and red edge stripes. The ribbon is identical to the British Coronation Medal ribbon.

The list of partners in this medal program and their allocation of medals have been confirmed. During the anniversary year, 30,000 medals will be awarded, of which 4,000 will recognize members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

The military selection criteria is based on merit and includes guidelines to ensure the recipients are representative of the CAF population, Regular and Reserve, including Cadet Instructors and Canadian Rangers. The CAF leadership directed that recognition will be focused on the work of those in lower ranks for both the NCM and officer corps, which are so critical to our operational success, particularly as we rebuild the CAF to its authorized strength. Therefore, the vast majority of medals will go to non-commissioned members up to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class/Warrant Officer and to officers up to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander/Major. A small number will also go to the ranks of Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class/Master Warrant Officer, Chief Petty Officer 1st Class/Chief Warrant Officer and Commander/Lieutenant-Colonel. The allocation of medals for the military will be administered by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition (DH&R).

To honour public service employees, medals have also been allocated to federal departments and agencies, including DND. Nominations will be made in accordance with the criteria above and using selection guidelines to ensure that recipients reflect the diversity of the department. The allocation of medals for public service employees within DND will be administered by the Corporate Awards and Recognition Team at ADM (HR-Civ).

Members of the Defence Team seeking details on criteria and selection guidelines may consult the Defence Information Network (DIN) where CANFORGEN 063/24 refers.

The Governor General is also a nominator. In total, 30,000 medals will be awarded.

Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

Eligible candidates must meet the following national criteria:

Have made significant contributions to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or for an outstanding achievement abroad that has brought great credit to Canada,

Be citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and

Be alive on February 6, 2012. The award can be made posthumously, as long as the candidate was alive on that date.

The list of partners in this medal program and their allocation of medals have been confirmed. During the anniversary year, 60 000 medals will be awarded, of which 11 000 will recognize members of the Canadian Forces.

The military selection criteria is based on merit and includes guidelines to ensure the recipients are representative of the entire CF population, Regular and Reserve, including Cadet Instructors, Canadian Rangers and holders of Honorary Appointments. The allocation of medals for the military will be administered by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition (DH&R).

Victoria Cross Medal

Created on 1 January 1993, Military Valour Decorations are national honours awarded in recognition of acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

A person is eligible to be awarded a Military Valour Decoration if that person, on or after January 1, 1993 is:

• a member of the Canadian Armed Forces; or

• a member of an allied armed force that is serving with or in conjunction with the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Victoria Cross shall be awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.