C-335Defence of Canada Medal Act (1946-1989)
An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on June 5, 2023
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since June 5, 2023
What it does
Creates a Defence of Canada Medal for people who served in Canada’s defence between June 1, 1946, and November 30, 1989.
What it does
- Creates the Defence of Canada Medal and lets the Governor in Council decide its design and ribbon.
- Allows the medal to be awarded to Canadian citizens or permanent residents with at least three years of qualifying service during the covered period.
- Lists qualifying service as service in the Canadian Forces, certain police services, some provincial and municipal emergency groups, recognised civilian national survival groups, and the Canadian Coast Guard.
- Lets the medal be awarded only once to the same person and allows regulations to exclude some classes of people.
- Allows the medal to be awarded after death and says it should go to the next of kin, or to another suitable person if needed.
- Requires a ceremony, when possible, with family members and the media, and sets a two-year reporting duty to Parliament if no regulations are made.
Who it affects
- Canadian Forces members
- Former Canadian Forces members
- Police officers
- Civil defence workers
- Canadian Coast Guard members
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- Families of deceased recipients
- Ministers who nominate recipients
Background
The bill says it covers service in the defence of Canada from June 1, 1946, to November 30, 1989. It also sets out who may be nominated for the medal and gives the Governor in Council power to make regulations.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
NDPCarol Hughes· June 5, 2023
“Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-335, An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989). Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has been difficult to watch from afar.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.