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House Bill

Bill C-335

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 05, 2023
Defence of Canada Medal Act (1946-1989)
  • This bill establishes the Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989) to recognize and award individuals who served in the defence of Canada between June 1, 1946, and November 30, 1989. The medal can be awarded to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who served for a minimum of three years in organizations such as the Canadian Forces, police services involved in national survival and counter-espionage, provincial and municipal organizations focused on civilian protection and aid during a nuclear attack, recognized civilian organizations that underwent National Survival Training, and the Canadian Coast Guard. The design of the medal and its associated ribbon will be determined by the Governor in Council. The medal can only be awarded once to a person and may be awarded posthumously. A ceremony is encouraged to be held during the awards presentation, and the medal is to be worn according to Canadian Order of Precedence of Orders, Decorations
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Context: House Hansard - 206 - Jun/5/23
Mrs. Carol Hughes (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-335, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989). She said: Mr. Speaker, Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has been difficult to watch from afar. As one of Ukraine's closest allies, Canada has and will continue to support the efforts of those brave individuals defending their homeland. This conflict, in many ways, may conjure memories of Canadians working with our allies in other democratic nations to ward off a common foe: the Soviet Union and eastern bloc nations during the Cold War, which lasted from 1946 to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Many Canadians served their nation during this tense period in our history. To properly acknowledge their hard work and sacrifice, I am proud to introduce an act respecting the establishment and award of a defence of Canada medal for the men and women who served Canada during the Cold War. This medal would be awarded to individuals who served in the Canadian Armed Forces, including reserves, as well as police organizations, emergency measures organizations and civilian assistance organizations, such as St. John Ambulance. This act represents the vision of an Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing resident, retired captain Ulrich Krings, and has widespread support across the country, especially from those who worked so hard to keep us safe and prepared during those unsettling times. I am very pleased my colleague from North Island—Powell River, who is also the NDP critic for Veterans Affairs, is seconding my bill.
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