Order of British Columbia

Order of British Columbia

The Order of British Columbia, the highest award bestowed by the province of British Columbia, was established by statute on 21 April 1989. The award recognizes "those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere."

Eligibility is open to any resident of British Columbia, or former long-term resident. 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 unless the Advisory Council recommends the appointment to the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council before the person's death.

Nominees to the order are suggested by citizens of the province and selected by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council (Cabinet), on the recommendation of an Advisory Council. Members of the Advisory Council include the Chief Justice of British Columbia as chairperson; the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; the president, in turn, of British Columbia's Public Universities, for a two-year term; the president of the Union of BC Municipalities; the deputy minister responsible for the Order of British Columbia; and two past recipients of the order.

The insignia of the Order of British Columbia is in the form of a medal. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood (the floral emblem of British Columbia), and features a crowned shield of arms; it is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon. In addition to the medal, members of the order receive a lapel pin and a Certificate of Appointment in the form of Letters Patent. Members are also granted the right to have the letters OBC placed after their names.