Ordre national du Québec

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ribbon

The Ordre national du Québec is an order of civilian merit in the Canadian province of Québec . The award was introduced on June 20, 1984 and is given to civilians who have stood out for their special achievements. The Ordre national du Québec is the only provincial order divided into three classes.

Structure and appointment

The Ordre national du Québec is intended to honor current or former residents of Québec who have distinguished themselves through commendable deeds that support Québec or its language and culture. Although the order was created with the consent of the lieutenant governor , unlike the other provinces, he is not explicitly part of the organization and does not automatically receive an award. The order is divided into three classes (with the corresponding abbreviations that the members can add to their names):

  • Grand Officier (GOQ)
  • Officer (OQ)
  • Chevalier (Knight) (CQ)

The nomination process, with which suitable people are to be found, begins with proposals from the public to the Conseil de l'Ordre national du Québec . The nine-member council elects its own members for a period of three years. It is led by a president who is elected by the council for a two-year term. It is the task of the council to make a selection from the proposals received and to make recommendations to the provincial government. Anyone born or living in Québec can be nominated, with the exception of incumbent MPs in the National Assembly (which includes members of the government). Posthumous nominations are permitted. The provincial government can make honorary members from outside Québec without any instructions from the Order Council. Both regular members and honorary members can be promoted to a higher class.

insignia

After admission to the order, the members receive the order's insignia, which are based on the heraldic elements of the provincial flag , namely the colors blue and white for the ribbon and the fleur-de-lys . They were designed by the artist Madeleine Dansereau.

The Grand Officer's badge consists of two 18-carat, 4-millimeter-thin gold plates that are symmetrically stacked in the shape of a cross with arms 60 × 40 mm in size. The high-gloss side of the picture resembles a brushwork , a white fleur-de-lys made of enamel is attached in the lower left corner . The order's motto is engraved on the back: Honneur au peuple du Québec ("Tribute to the people of Québec"), as well as a serial number on the base of the vertical plate. The badge for officers is almost identical, but the arms are 50 × 25 mm. The upper plate is also 18-carat gold with a fleur-de-lys made of enamel, the lower plate is made of sterling silver . Knights receive a medal made of polished silver with a diameter of 40 mm. A symmetrical, 30 × 20 mm cross is engraved in it; on the lower left side is a golden fleur-de-lys.

Each member of the order also receives a smaller version of the badge. They correspond in design to the large badges, but are no larger than 18 mm in any direction or in diameter. For less formal occasions, members receive a pin. Male grand officers and officers wear their medals on a 38 mm wide, blue and white ribbon; the knights attach their medals to their left breasts. Female grand officers and officers wear their medals on a bow on the left breast, female knights their medals like men. The tape for the smaller versions is 18 mm wide.

The provisions of the Ordre national du Québec almost stipulate that the Prime Minister will present their awards to new members of the Order either at the Fête nationale du Québec (June 24th) or on a day that same week. The ceremony will take place in the rouge salon of the parliament building in the capital Québec .

Web links