In a ceremony today, Premier Christy Clark presented 85 British Columbians with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their leadership to B.C. communities.

"The British Columbians being recognized today come from different backgrounds, different paths in life, but their common desire to help their friends, family and neighbours have made our province a better place for all of us," said Clark. "As pillars in our communities we find their leadership inspirational, and this medal is a symbol of our gratitude."

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne. Recipients of the medal have made a significant contribution to a province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Like Her Majesty, those recognized have dedicated themselves in service to their fellow citizens, communities and country.

Those recipients unable to attend today's ceremony will have another opportunity to receive their medals from Premier Clark at a ceremony to be held in Victoria at a later date. The Premier will be presenting 224 medals in total.

Quick Facts:

• The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country.
• During the year of celebrations, approximately 60,000 deserving Canadians from across the country will be recognized.
• The government of B.C. is presenting approximately 760 medals.
• All MLAs and Ministers have been involved in awarding the medals, ensuring they reach as many deserving people in our province as possible.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee visit: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14019&lan=eng

View photos of the presentations at: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjDPTGgq

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 588-8380

BACKGROUNDER
Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients - Jan. 31, 2013

Ms. Judy Armstrong, Kamloops - Sport
Mr. Peter N. Baird, Multicultural Endeavours
Mr. Randy Bartsch, Abbotsford - Philanthropy
Mr. Stuart Belkin, Philanthropy
Constable Marc Belliveau, Langley - Protective Services
Mr. Eli Bennett, New Westminster - Arts & Culture
Mr. Tony Bhullar, Surrey - Community Service
Constable Shawn Bollivar, Protective Services
Constable Mark Bouchey, Protective Services
Ms. Judy Caldwell, Health Care
Ms. Adriane Carr, Environment
Sergeant Andrew Chan, Protective Services
Mr. Dennis Chan, Business
Mr. Fernando Correia, Duncan - Sports
Colonel Richard Cowling, Courtenay - Canadian Forces
Mr. Michael Cuccione, Coquitlam - Health Care
Mr. Don Cunnings, Pitt Meadows - Community Service
Constable Peter Da Silva, Protective Services
Constable Rod Deighton, Abbotsford - Protective Services
Ms. Anne Deitch, Burnaby - Sports
Ms. Ginny Dennehy, Whistler - Health Care
Mr. Steven Dickinson, Langley - Community Service
Sergeant Rob Faoro, Protective Services
Mr. Murray Farmer, North Saanich - Philanthropy
Ms. Janet Fraser, Politics
Constable Christian Galbraith, Protective Services
Corporal Joel Glen, Surrey - Protective Services
Constable Andre Haaksma, Port Coquitlam - Protective Services
Constable Sean Hackman, Coquitlam - Protective Services
Constable Tanya Hermann, Protective Services
Ms. Barbara Hislop, Burnaby - Community Service
Mrs. Ariadne Holness de Hiller, Prince George - Sports
Constable James Hudson, West Protective Services
Mr. Rick Hume, Whistler - Sports
Mr. Mark James, Business
Ms. Ish Jhaj, Burnaby - Sports
Mr. James Earl Johnson, Burnaby - Sports
Ms. Grace Jong Eun Lee, North Arts & Culture
Mr. Charles Kim, Business
Ms. Jackie Kloosterboer, Public Service
Ms. Jill Komlos, West Sports
Dr. David Kuhl, Health Care
Mr. Ronald Kiyoshi Kuramoto, Burnaby - Sports
Mr. Amin Lalji, West Community Service
Mr. Kevin Lambert, Langley - Public Service
Mr. Léon Lebrun, Coquitlam - Community Service
Sergeant Richard Lee, Protective Services
Mr. Jack Lee, Burnaby - Business
Mr. Norm Leibel, Burnaby - Public Service
Dr. Evandro H. Lopes, Surrey - Public Service
Mr. Richard Lyle, West Sports
Constable Keith MacDonald, Protective Services
Ms. Diane Mackenzie, Community Service
Mr. Ken MacLeod, Courtenay - Community Service
Ms. Carrie McCulley, Abbotsford - Public Service
Mr. Clarke McGuire, Richmond - Public Service
Ms. Cara McGuire, North Voluntary Service
Mr. John Duncan McKenzie, Kamloops - Public Service
Ms. Margaret McLeod, Sports
Mr. Dan Miscisco, North Sports
Mr. Bill Nicholishen, New Westminster - Voluntary Service
Ms. Lauryn Oates, Burnaby - Community Service
Mr. Nick Panos, Community Service
Dr. James Chi Ming Pau, Health Care
Mr. Chang Poh, Richmond - Sports
Mr. James (Jim) Pyke, Langley - Public Service
Mr. Rob Rai, Surrey - Protective Services
Dr. Jonathan Raymond, Langley - Religious Studies
Mr. Bob Rennie, Arts & Culture
Mr. John Richmond, Langley - Public Service
Constable Wade Rodrigue, Protective Services
Ms. Judy Rogers, Public Service
Chief Ellis Ross, Kitamaat Village - Business
Mr. Chad Salim, Surrey - Public Service
Constable Ranjit Singh Seehra, Surrey - Protective Services
Constable Jasprit Shahi, Protective Services
Constable Lucas Sovio, Langley - Protective Services
Mr. Robert D. Stair, Kaslo - Public Service
Corporal Scott Stoughton, Rosedale - Protective Services
Mr. David Sutcliffe, North Sports
Mr. Dan Taylor, Burnaby - Sports
Mr. Brad Thorlakson, Vernon - Business
Constable Gregory Trenholm, Garibaldi Highlands - Protective Services
Constable Greig Vandenberg, Protective Services
Inspector Tony Mose Zanatta, Burnaby - Protective Services

Contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 588-8380