Shomporko Desk:-The COVID-19 pandemic has place the preclude on the annual Canada Day celebration of recipients of the country’s second-highest award.
Governor General Julie Payette would typically declare a list of new Order of Canada nominees on July 1.
However, her office says that it is impossible this year on the grounds that the spring meeting of the advisory council that recommends nominees was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The council, which meets twice a year in person to discuss nominations, isn’t planned to meet again until November.
The council, which meets twice a year in person to discuss nominations, is not scheduled to meet again until November.
In the meantime, Julie Rocheleau, a spokeswoman for Payette, says the team responsible for the administration of Canadian honours has taken advantage of the delay to develop new evaluation tools for the advisory council and to identify technology that will help process more nominations per year starting in 2021.
In the absence of the traditional Order of Canada announcement this July 1, Rocheleau says Payette will instead shine a spotlight on lesser-known Canadians honours: decorations for bravery and meritorious service and the Sovereign Medal for volunteers.
Photo credit: The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
News source: The Canadian Press
