Veterans Affairs committee  In fact, the bill doesn't refer to military medals. What I said was that members of the military receive other medals, like the cross of courage. So it wouldn't be covered. Do we want to preserve military heritage or military medals? It's one or the other.

Veterans Affairs committee  I have two comments to make. First, I think it is very difficult to assign a value to a medal. Ordinarily, in the course of a person's military career, they will receive first a long service medal, at the end of 12 years, and they will take part in other campaigns. The number of

Veterans Affairs committee  Exactly.

Veterans Affairs committee  The difference is that it isn't mandatory to be a Canadian citizen to receive a medal of valour or bravery and so on. The only medals for which you have to be a Canadian citizen are commemorative medals, like the Jubilee Medal. That is in the Constitution, in the order in council

Veterans Affairs committee  It does, because of the job I have. I work with the men and women of the Canadian Forces every day all over the country and all over the world. That includes our veterans, by the way, because I'm also responsible for issuing medals to our recent veterans—modern medals, not Second

Veterans Affairs committee  Honestly, whether medals are presented to members of the military or to civilians, neither one of them is given any details about the federal legislation governing medals generally. So it is up to each member of the public to follow up for themselves and to be familiar with the

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. In fact, the Canadian Forces are currently making recommendations to the Governor General to recognize troops from allied countries. That includes the United States of America, France, the Netherlands, Germany and several other countries. We are thinking of decorating them f

Veterans Affairs committee  They are presented in Canada, but to members of the military of allied countries.

Veterans Affairs committee  Exactly.

Veterans Affairs committee  I sit on the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee (Bravery). I can tell you that some medals for bravery have been presented. For example, the Medal of Bravery has been awarded to several Americans. We also have meritorious service medals. These decorations have lesser value.

Veterans Affairs committee  Mr. André, I can answer you, because by virtue of my position I am the official liaison between the Department of National Defence and Rideau Hall. I have an opportunity to attend the ceremonies where decorations are awarded to members of the military by the Governor General. I c

Veterans Affairs committee  The answer is that, again, within the constitutions for orders—that's the Order of Canada, the Order of Military of Merit, and things like that—it's written within the constitutions that the decoration belongs to the crown. That's for orders. In the case of bravery decorations, w

Veterans Affairs committee  It is not a sale.

Veterans Affairs committee  Yes. There are two parts to the answer. First, when a person has performed an act of courage, bravery, valour or merit, it is the chain of command that decides that the person should be recognized. That is a very important effect. When the chain of command, through the system, i

Veterans Affairs committee  Can you explain what you mean by the words “in good faith”?