A federal focus group found that Québec City residents were unfamiliar with one of the country’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada, despite it being awarded nearly 8,000 times over the past 58 years.Blacklock's Reporter says according to a Privy Council report titled Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views, none of the Québec participants had heard of the award before the session. “Asked whether they were familiar with the Order of Canada, no participants indicated that they were,” the report stated.Established in 1967 by Prime Minister Lester Pearson to recognize outstanding merit and “strengthen national pride,” the Order of Canada was meant to be a distinctly Canadian honour. .At the time, Pearson said it would help fill “a need in our national life” by providing proper recognition to citizens for their exceptional contributions.Pollsters conducting the focus group provided participants with a brief description of the award, explaining that it is presented by the Governor General to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the country. When asked what types of achievements might qualify, participants mentioned health and medical research, scientific discoveries, technological innovations, humanitarian work and efforts to address climate change..Despite this, no one in the group could name a specific person they believed deserved the honour, and only a few said they might consider nominating someone in the future.The Order of Canada replaced the Canada Medal, created in 1943 but never awarded. Only five medals were ever minted, and they became collectors' items. The Order allows only Canadian citizens to be appointed, though 24 honorary members have been named since 1967, including Nelson Mandela, the Aga Khan and former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
