The Canadian Honours System was created in 1967.  It is divided into three main categories, Orders, Medals and Decorations. 

“The purpose of Honours is to reward service or valorous acts and to accord recognition to those who, according to the state are deemed to merit such………

Orders are societies of honour that are instituted by the state, usually to recognize lifelong exemplary service of the highest caliber.  Orders are usually divided into several different levels to allow for recognition of those who have rendered service at both the national/international level and at the local or regional level”

There are five national orders in the Canadian Honours System:

•  The Order of Canada
•  The Order of Military Merit
•  The Order of Merit of the Police Forces
•  The Royal Victorian Order
•  The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (The Order of St. John)

The Order of St. John – A Canadian Honour

The Order of St. John is a humanitarian order recognized as a national order in the Canadian Honours System in 1990. 

The Insignia of the Order is a white eight-pointed cross embellished in the four principal angles alternately with a lion and a unicorn.  The four arms of the cross signify the virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude.  The eight points signify humility, compassion, courtesy, devotion, mercy, purity, peace and endurance.

The Insignia of the Order may be worn with other decorations, medals and badges that have also been granted or authorized by the Sovereign, the Queen of Canada.

The Order of St. John is divided into the following Grades: