Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal
The creation of the medal was inspired by the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize which was awarded to all United Nations Peacekeepers in 1988 in recognition of their collective efforts in the cause of peace.[1]
Description
The medal is circular, 36 mm in diameter.
Bars
There is no bar to this medal.
Obverse
The obverse has, in the centre, three figures of unarmed observers. Above them flies a dove. The words “PEACEKEEPING” and “SERVICE DE LA PAIX” are written around the three figures separated by two maple leafs on either side.
Reverse
The reverse has, in the centre, the Queen’s Cypher on a maple leaf, surrounded by two sprigs of laurel and the word “CANADA”.
Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 mm wide and consists of a central stripe of United Nations blue on each side of which are stripes of white, red and green. The blue in the official colour of the United Nations, organisation under which authority most of the peacekeeping missions are conducted, the green represents service, the white is the colour of peace, the red represents the blood shed in the service of peace. Red and white are also the official colours of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921.
Mounting
A single-toe claw attaches to the top of the medal and to the centre of a straight, slotted bar. There is a maple leaf centred on the slotted bar.
Dates
The inaugural ceremony took place on 6 September 2000 at the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa where Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, CC, CMM, COM, CD, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, presented the medal to 90 recipients representing the Canadian Forces (Serving and retired members), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Police Forces.
Naming
The medal is not named.
Numbers
Almost 125,000 Canadian personnel have served in peacekeeping missions over the past 53 years. As of 1 June 2012, 74 718 medals had been issued.