Evidence of meeting #24 for Veterans Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was medals.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you very much, Mr. Kerr.
The Liberal Party has advised me they have exhausted their questions. So we'll go to Mr. André.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Before moving on to another stage, I have a brief question to ask. Not all medals are wanted for the purposes of public cultural heritage. I assume you have an inventory of the medals that have been issued and that are of interest from the heritage perspective.
When people received those medals, were they informed of the provisions of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act? Was it clearly explained to them that in the event of their death, the decoration could go to the family, of course, but if they wanted to dispose of it, they could not do that at their own convenience, because then they would be exported to consequences, to fines and so on? Is that point clearly explained and clearly understood when an honorary medal is awarded?
4:10 p.m.
Director, Honours and Recognition, Department of National Defence
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 can tell you that instructions, as such, are not given to the recipients, telling them whether or not they may sell their decoration. All they are told is how the ceremony will proceed. The presentation is then made, and that's that. It's as simple as that.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
So they aren't informed. There is a transaction between the government and the people who receive a medal for an honorary mission, but there are no discussions about this. They receive a medal, and as we can see, they wear it with pride.
What kind of follow-up is there?
4:15 p.m.
Director, Honours and Recognition, Department of National Defence
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 laws; that is their duty. That is how it's handled.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Have penalties been imposed on soldiers who have received medals, under the Cultural Property Export and Import Act? Have people suffered consequences for exporting a medal or not offering it to a museum or another institution?
4:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Heritage Group, Department of Canadian Heritage
To my knowledge, since this act came into force, in 1977, there have been no prosecutions involving medals.
4:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Heritage Group, Department of Canadian Heritage
There was one, 10 or 15 years ago, relating to an illegal export, but the medal was repatriated from the country in question.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
And yet these medals circulate on eBay. They are on sale and there are medal collectors.
4:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Heritage Group, Department of Canadian Heritage
Most of the medals currently circulating on eBay or elsewhere date from the First World War or the Second World War.
October 21st, 2010 / 4:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Heritage Group, Department of Canadian Heritage
It isn't necessarily the person who received the medal who is selling it. It may be a family member, a third-generation descendant, someone who does not have a sense of belonging.
4:15 p.m.
Bloc
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
So you can't intervene, because you can't penalize the person to whom the medal was given, who is now six feet under.
4:15 p.m.
Executive Director, Heritage Group, Department of Canadian Heritage
At present, most medals don't have a value of more than $3,000; their value is ordinarily lower than that.
4:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Acting Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you, Mr. André
I'll take one more check and see if there are any other questions for the officials before we get to clause-by-clause consideration.
Go ahead, Madam Zarac.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
Have soldiers from other countries ever been honoured by awarding them Canadian medals?
4:15 p.m.
Director, Honours and Recognition, Department of National Defence
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 for what they have done for Canada.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
4:15 p.m.
Director, Honours and Recognition, Department of National Defence
They are presented in Canada, but to members of the military of allied countries.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Lise Zarac Liberal LaSalle—Émard, QC
They are members of allied militaries who are not necessarily in Canada. So the medals don't stay in Canada.
4:15 p.m.
Director, Honours and Recognition, Department of National Defence
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. It is the decorations for bravery and valour that are more difficult to obtain. I think there is a minimal number of those medals.