Media Contacts

Lindsay Byers

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
778 678-5539

Backgrounders

Order of British Columbia background

Established in 1989 by statute, the Order of British Columbia represents the highest form of recognition that the Province can extend to its citizens.

Appointments to the order are made annually to the most outstanding British Columbians. To be considered for 2021, nominations and letters of support for the Order of British Columbia must be received by April 9, 2021, at the Honours and Awards Secretariat office: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/honours-and-awards

Criteria

Any resident of B.C. or former long-term resident who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction in a field of endeavour provincewide is eligible to be nominated. Fields of endeavour may include community leadership, business, labour, industry, art, sports, volunteer service, professions and other occupations.

Federal, provincial and municipal elected representatives are not eligible for appointment to the order while they remain in office. A person may not be appointed to the order posthumously.

Nominations

Any citizen can participate by nominating persons whom they feel are worthy of this honour. Appointments will be made by the lieutenant governor in council on the recommendation of the advisory council, an independent council chaired by the chief justice of British Columbia. The head of the order is the lieutenant governor of B.C.

Insignia description

The Insignia of the Order of B.C. is in the form of a medal. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood, the floral emblem of B.C., and features a crowned shield of arms. It is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon.