- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of Insignia
July 15, 2015
Vol. VI, p. 535
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Insignia - Honour
Suspended by a claw affixed to a ring from a ribbon Gules bearing a Canadian pale Or charged with four pallets Azure, a medal the obverse bearing a contemporary effigy of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada contourné, wearing a diadem of maple leaves and snowflakes, and environed by the inscriptions ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA and CANADA separated by two maple leaves, the reverse a plate rayonné charged with a heart erablé voided ensigned by a coronet erablé and interlaced in fess point with a heart voided, all Argent;
Symbolism
Insignia - Honour
The obverse depicts a crowned image of the Sovereign, in whose name the medal is bestowed. The reverse indicates the ideas of caring and generosity, represented by the two hearts. The sunburst pattern of the rim symbolizes the time that volunteers are giving and their actions. Inspired by the Scottish Luckenbooth brooches traded in North America in the 17th century, this design is a modern version of a traditional emblem with roots in Canadian history. The ribbon uses the vice-regal colours of blue and gold, which are taken from the pin of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, which the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers has replaced. The five gold stripes evoke the fingers of a hand, present in the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award emblem. The deep red colour is associated with royalty.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 12, 2016, in Volume 150, page 739 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Chief Herald of Canada, and Darcy DeMarsico, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Cathy Bursey-Sabourin
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Federal Agency
The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers was approved by Her Majesty The Queen by Letters Patent dated the 19th day of June 2015.