The Order of Canada: Genesis of an Honours System, Second Edition

by Christopher McCreery

Overview

In 1966, a project to create a national honour for Canadians was begun. The order recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievements, dedication, and service to the country. It is a product of national identity, politics, and history, and includes such individuals as Atom Egoyan, Joseph Boyden, and Louise Arbour.

The second edition of The Order of Canada continues the celebration of the order. Christopher McCreery sheds new light on the development of Canadian honours in the early 1930s, the imposed prohibition on honours from 1946 to 1967, and new details on those who have been removed or resigned from the Order. Extensively illustrated, The Order of Canada pays tribute to the individuals who felt the need for a system of recognition for Canadians. Indeed, the order’s history is as fascinating as the more than four thousand Canadians who have received it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781487512132
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	05/04/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	532
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Christopher McCreery is the private secretary to the lieutenant governor of Nova Scotia and executive director of Government House Halifax.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Frontispiece

Message from the Queen

Foreword by the Governor General

Preface to the Second Edition

Acknowledgements

Chapter One False Starts & Honours in Canada, 1867-1917: The creation of a Canadian policy

Chapter Two Controversy and Discontent, 1917-30: The decline of British honours in Canada

Chapter Three The Brief Revival of British honours and the Creation of the First Canadian Honour, 1930-35; Bennett’s Canadianized system

Chapter Four The Honours Quagmire, 1935-48: An incomplete system

Chapter Five More False Starts and Modest Progress: Massey presses forward

Chapter Six Founding the Order of Canada: the impending centennial of Confederation

Chapter Seven Selection and Reaction: The first honours list

Chapter Eight Transition to a More Complete Honours System

Chapter Nine Enlargement and Acceptance; Into the 1980s

Chapter Ten Unity and Diversity: The composition of the Order of Canada

Chapter Eleven Honorary and Extraordinary Membership: The extended projects

Chapter Twelve Refused, Resigned and Revoked

Chapter Thirteen The Logistics of a National Order: Crowns, ribbons and snowflakes

Chapter Fourteen Fifty Years of Recognition: Centrepiece of a modern honours system

Appendix One Members of the Interdepartmental Committee and Awards Coordination Committee, 1942

Appendix Two Royal Warrant Establishing the Canada Medal, 1943

Appendix Three Royal Warrant Establishing the Canadian Award of Honour and Canadian Decoration of Honour, 1943

Appendix Four Amendments to the Constitution of the Order of Canada and Enlargements

Appendix Four Letters Patent Establishing the Order of Canada, 1967

Appendix Five Constitution of the Order of Canada, 1967

Appendix Six Constitution of the Order of Canada, 1972

Appendix Seven Constitution of the Order of Canada, 2013

Appendix Eight Policy and Procedure for Terminiation of Appointments to the Order of Canada

Appendix Nine Sovereign and Chancellors of the Order of Canada

Appendix Ten Officials of the Order of Canada

Appendix Eleven Members of the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada

Appendix Twelve Nomination form from Vincent Massey

Appendix Thirteen Distribution of the First Order of Canada Appointments, July 1967

Appendix Fourteen Appointments to the Order of Canada, July 1967

Appendix Fifteen Order of Canada Insignia Manufacture, 1967-2017

Appendix Sixteen Honours postnominals

What People are Saying About This

The late Olive Dickason

"This is easily the most comprehensive work that has been done on the order, describing it as it does, in careful detail, both the institution itself, its significance, and the history of its conception and evolution. Christopher McCreery casts light on the values embodied in Canada's national persona, and how they have come to be expressed in its honours system."

John A. Fraser

"Christopher McCreery's study of the Order of Canada — the first of its kind — is a delightful surprise: solidly researched, it is a charming and passionate defence of the honours system as it has evolved in Canada, and has the added pleasure of being written in an unpretentious, convincing voice."

Editorial Reviews

"Christopher McCreery’s study of the Order of Canada – the first of its kind – is a delightful surprise: solidly researched, it is a charming and passionate defence of the honours system as it has evolved in Canada, and has the added pleasure of being written in an unpretentious, convincing voice."

—John A. Fraser, C.M., Master of Massey College, University of Toronto, and columnist for the 'Globe and Mail'

"This is easily the most comprehensive work that has been done on the order, describing it as it does, in careful detail, both the institution itself, its significance, and the history of its conception and evolution. Christopher McCreery casts light on the values embodied in Canada’s national persona, and how they have come to be expressed in its honours system."

—The late Olive Dickason, C.M., was Professor of History and Native Studies at University of Alberta, and Adjunct Professor of History at University of Ottawa

From the Publisher