OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -02/06/12)- The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to 60 recipients from across the country and various walks of life during the inaugural presentation ceremony on Monday, February 6, 2012, at Rideau Hall.
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over the ceremony, along with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. This event marked the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.
"The recipients who are honoured by this medal have made Canada better," said His Excellency. "Individually, they have improved the well-being of many in our communities, and together, they have helped to create a smarter, more caring nation. They represent a mosaic of individual experiences and accomplishments. Like Her Majesty, they inspire others to take up the call to service."
This commemorative medal will be presented throughout the year to 60 000 deserving Canadians to celebrate significant contributions and achievements and to recognize those who, like Her Majesty, have dedicated themselves to service to their fellow citizens, their community and their country. To ensure that the awarding of this national honour is done in a broad and inclusive manner, governmental and non-governmental partner organizations have been identified to nominate candidates from their community or organization.
The names of the recipients and their short citations and a fact sheet on the Diamond Jubilee Medal are attached. Additional information is available at www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee.
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RECIPIENTS' CITATIONS
Tomas Avendano
Vancouver, British Columbia
For his commitment to helping new immigrants on Canada's West Coast to
integrate into Canadian society.
Michael Ball
Montreal, Quebec
For his leadership within the Canadian Hero Fund, which helps the children
of fallen soldiers pursue post-secondary education.
Maureen Basnicki
Thornbury, Ontario
For advocating on behalf of victims of terror, and for her enduring
dialogue on terrorism.
Wanda Bedard
Montreal, Quebec
For her dedicated support for girls' education around the world, through
the 60 million girls foundation.
Teresa Berezowski
Toronto, Ontario
For her dedication to Canada's Polish community, and to its rich history
and culture.
Michel G. Bergeron, C.M., O.Q.
Quebec, Quebec
For his important contributions to medical research and for sharing his
passion with a new generation of researchers.
Alexandre Bilodeau
Montreal, Quebec
For his contributions to sports and for inspiring others to follow their
golden dreams.
Lieutenant-Colonel John R. Bishop, C.D. (Ret'd)
Cobble Hill, British Columbia
For his dedicated support for Korean War veterans and their family
members.
Pierre Boileau
Montreal, Quebec
For his contributions to the arts and for promoting our rich cultural
heritage.
Major-General Lionel Bourgeois, C.M.M., C.D. (Ret'd)
Trenton, Ontario
For his contributions to the Royal Canadian Humane Association, which
recognizes Canadians for their heroic actions.
Melvin James Boutilier, C.M., O.N.S.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
For his leadership at the helm of the Halifax Community Care Network
Society, and for providing resources and support to those in need.
David A. Chalack
Balzac, Alberta
For his contributions to the field of animal care and to the success of
the Calgary Stampede.
Clement Chartier
Ottawa, Ontario
For his leadership as president of the Metis National Council, and for
advocating for Metis and Indigenous rights.
Joel Cheruet
Gatineau, Quebec
For his contributions to policing in Canada, and for his 25 years of
volunteer work to see meritorious police officers honoured.
Lieutenant(N) James W. Clute, C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
For his contributions to youth development programs, particularly for navy
cadets, as a member of the Canadian Forces Cadet Instructors Cadre.
Gail Cyr
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
For her innovative contributions towards establishing an Advanced Medical
First Responder program in isolated Northwest Territories communities.
Priscilla de Villiers, M.S.M.
Burlington, Ontario
For her ongoing perseverance and leadership in helping victims of crime,
and for her research on restorative justice in Ontario.
Corporal Ryan Doherty
Denwood, Alberta
For his continued leadership within and dedication to the Canadian Forces,
and for his outstanding technical knowledge.
Budhendranauth Doobay, O. Ont.
Toronto, Ontario
For his leadership as a founding member of the Voice of Vedas Cultural
Sabha, and for his active involvement with various international aid
organizations.
Barney Ellis-Perry
North Vancouver, British Columbia
For his social engagement and community service, notably with Volunteer
Canada.
Alex Forrest
Winnipeg, Manitoba
For his contributions to firefighting, notably to have certain cancers
identified as occupational hazards.
Darrell Fox
Vancouver, British Columbia
For his dedication to finding a cure for cancer and for raising the
public's awareness of Terry Fox's legacy.
Bruce Gitelman
Toronto, Ontario
For his dedicated efforts towards improving and expanding the public's
understanding of science.
Bryden Hutt
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
For his dedication to and efforts in support of the Children's Wish
Foundation.
Master Corporal Keven Thomas Iles
The Pas, Manitoba
For providing significant support for his local emergency medical services
and fire department.
Johnny Issaluk
Iqaluit, Nunavut
For his contributions towards improving the health and community well-
being among Nunavutmiut.
Roberta L. Jamieson, C.M.
Ohsweken, Ontario
For her leadership as president of the National Aboriginal Achievement
Foundation, and for her expertise in non-adversarial methods of conflict
resolution.
Major Gordon Jenkins, C.D. (Ret'd)
Stittsville, Ontario
For his military service and for his support of NATO veterans across the
country.
William Matthew Raistlen Jones
Whitehorse, Yukon
For his leadership as an Aboriginal role model and for his dedication to
the arts.
Melpa Kamateros
Mount Royal, Quebec
For her ongoing support for victims of family violence, and for leading
community outreach initiatives.
Chil-Yong Kang
London, Ontario
For advancing scientific research, and for his dedication to finding a
preventative vaccine for HIV.
Captain Ray Kokkonen, C.D. (Ret'd)
Trout Brook, New Brunswick
For his contributions to the Canadian Forces and to the Canadian
Peacekeeping Veterans Association.
Veronica (Vonnie) Lavers
Kelowna, British Columbia
For her commitment to providing healthy food to families in need.
Huguette Lepine
Quebec, Quebec
For her dedication to helping young people cope with life's challenges,
and for providing them with the support they need.
Captain Simon J. Mailloux
Ottawa, Ontario
For his leadership within the Canadian Forces and for his efforts to help
soldiers injured during the war in Afghanistan.
Shawnee Main
Fredericton, New Brunswick
For her social engagement, notably with the Atlantic Burn Camp and
Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Captain E. Maria Mangnall-Schonert, C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
For promoting and delivering the Canadian Cadet Program to young people in
her community.
Patricia McDermott
Halifax, Nova Scotia
For her dedication to engaging individuals and mobilizing collective
action to help communities, notably through United Way Canada.
Peter P. M. Meincke
Manotick, Ontario
For his commitment and expertise in promoting the technological
innovations necessary for sustainable development worldwide.
Bryna Monson
Ottawa, Ontario
For her ongoing work with Languages of Life, and for providing Canadians
with the means to communicate with each other in different languages.
Leslie Natynczyk
Ottawa, Ontario
For her dedication to and support of military families, and for her
innovative Segways for Wounded Warriors initiative.
Paul Nguyen
Toronto, Ontario
For fighting stereotypes and acting as a role model and mentor for at-risk
youth in his community.
Constable Anne O'Shaughnessy
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
For her dedication to the health, safety and physical well-being of the
Aboriginal youth of Prince Edward Island.
Master Warrant Officer Jean-Claude Parent, C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario
For his contributions to the Canadian Red Cross and the Military Family
Resource Centre of his community.
Linda Patterson
Oromocto, New Brunswick
For her involvement in creating safe neighbourhoods for children and
seniors across the country, notably through the Block Parent Program.
Tom Quinn
Beaconsfield, Quebec
For his dedication to sports, notably as an accomplished athlete and as
chair of the Canada Games Council.
Brigadier-General Bob Robert, C.D. (Ret'd)
Brooklin, Ontario
For his distinguished military career, and for his leadership within the
Air Cadet League of Canada.
Ronald Schlegel
Kitchener, Ontario
For pursuing better living standards for all through his leadership within
the business community.
Rachel Scott-Mignon
Gatineau, Quebec
For raising awareness of mental health issues, particularly bipolar
disorder.
Maureen Shaw
Victoria, British Columbia
For her leadership in occupational health and safety, corporate social
responsibility and education for manufacturing workers.
Master Seaman Christopher Mark Switzer
Victoria, British Columbia
For his contributions to the Royal Canadian Navy and to numerous local
charities.
Hannah Catherine Taylor
Winnipeg, Manitoba
For her contributions to her community, and for raising awareness in
support of the homeless.
Travis Toews
Beaverlodge, Alberta
For his dedication to the field of agriculture, and for his support for
farmers and cattlemen.
Patricia (Pat) Varga
Unity, Saskatchewan
For the ongoing support and services she provides to our veterans, as
Dominion president of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Kathryn Laura Whitfield
Toronto, Ontario
For her dedication to teaching and for inspiring Canadian youth to build a
better world.
W. Brett Wilson, C.M.
Calgary, Alberta
For his many contributions as an entrepreneur, community leader and
mentor.
Sergeant Angela Wintonyk, C.D.
Petawawa, Ontario
For her military service and for volunteering her time and resources to
the Petawawa Military Families Resource Centre.
Pauline Wong
Montreal, Quebec
For her service to the Chinese community, and for encouraging other
Chinese-Canadians to take pride in their heritage.
Lauren Woolstencroft
North Vancouver, British Columbia
For her contributions to alpine skiing, and for inspiring others to
overcome obstacles.
Xinsheng (Simon) Zhong
Toronto, Ontario
For offering services to new immigrants and for promoting Chinese culture
in Toronto.
FACT SHEET ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL
A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.
During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians from across the country and various walks of life will be recognized.
The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal program.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this honour, a person must:
-- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, but need not
necessarily reside in Canada;
-- Have made a significant contribution to a particular province,
territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad
that brings credit to Canada; and
-- Be alive on February 6th, 2012, the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's
accession to the Throne. The medal can be awarded posthumously, as long
as the recipient was alive on that date.
Nomination process
To ensure that a variety of fields of activity are recognized, partner organizations have been invited to nominate candidates from their community or organization for this national honour.
Members of the general public are welcome to contact the offices of members of Parliament, senators, lieutenant governors, territorial commissioners, or provincial and territorial premiers to suggest names of candidates.
Recommendations can also be made for individuals affiliated with non-governmental organizations participating in this program. The list of partner organizations that can submit nominations is posted on www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee.
Description of the medal
The obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse marks the sixtieth, or diamond, anniversary of the accession to the Throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The anniversary is expressed by the central diamond shape, by the background composed of a pattern of diamonds, and by the two dates. The Royal Cypher consists of the Royal Crown above the letters EIIR (i.e., Elizabeth II Regina, the latter word meaning Queen in Latin). The maple leaves refer to Canada, while the motto VIVAT REGINA means "Long live The Queen!"
The ribbon uses a new arrangement of the blue, red and white colours found in the 1953 Coronation Medal, the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and the 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal.
The design of the Diamond Jubilee Medal was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
The medal is composed of nickel silver and features a proof finish and will be manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint at their Ottawa facility. For more information, please visit www.mint.ca.
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