As a legacy of Montréal's 375th anniversary, Ville de Montréal created an honorary order to recognize the talents and achievements of the men and women who have helped shape the city.^[1] The new honour was announced in December 2015^[2] and on 17 May 2016 mayor Denis Coderre presented the inaugural honours. It was decided that they would be awarded on 17 May each year, which is the anniversary of the founding of Montreal.^[3]

The Order of Montreal succeeded the Academy of Great Montrealers [fr], a special honour that was created in 1988 by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and terminated in 2015.^[2] All recipients of that honour were awarded the Order of Montreal in December 2016 with the rank of Commander.^[4][5]

As a municipal order,^[2] it is not directly ranked in the Canadian honours system.

The Order, like the Order of Canada and National Order of Quebec, has three ranks consisting of (in descending order) commander, officer, and knight. Each year, three commanders, six officers, and eight knights are invested.

The Order of Montreal recognizes 17 prominent personalities each year, following a public call for nominations. Recipients of the honour have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following ways, regardless of their area of activity:^{[citation needed]}

• Decisive contribution to the development of Montreal
• Notable contribution to the national or international reputation of Montreal
• Exemplary commitment to the community
• Exceptional professional achievements

Applications are accepted until 31 October each year for the Order of Montreal for the following year. Nominations must be supported by two persons.^{[citation needed]}

Eligibility edit

Regardless of age, status or field of activity, persons nominated for admission to the Order must meet at least one of the following criteria:^{[citation needed]}

• Be born on the territory of the Montreal urban agglomeration
• Reside or have resided within this same territory for at least 5 years
• Carry out or have carried out professional activities within this same territory for at least 5 years

Medal edit

The medal of the Order of Montreal incorporates the City's official symbols, that is, the flag of Montreal and its coat of arms.^[6]

Chosen for their credibility, the members of the council of the Order of Montreal thoroughly review each application to ensure the prestige of the institution. The council plays an advisory role. Its main mandate is to review the files submitted following the annual call for nominations and to make recommendations for admission to the Order.^{[citation needed]}

This role includes the assigning of a rank – commander, officer or knight – for each selected nominee, based on the scope of their achievements. Council members will take into consideration the scope, originality and impact of the achievements on community life, as well as any specific factor deemed relevant. The council may also make suggestions regarding the management of the Ordre and all matters intended to safeguard the prestige and reputation of the Ordre.^{[citation needed]}

Medal recipients are named by the City's executive committee, upon the recommendation of the mayor.^{[citation needed]}

Recipients are presented with their insignia at an official ceremony at city hall. The event is held each year normally on May 17, the date of the founding of Montreal.^{[citation needed]}

The presentation of the insignia is accompanied by a certificate bearing the seal of the Ordre. Recipients' names are then written in calligraphy in the Ordre's "Golden Book".^{[citation needed]}

Each recipient is entitled to one page on the website, detailing his or her contributions and achievements.^{[citation needed]}

Large-format photos of each recipient are also displayed at city hall along the route taken by guided tours.^{[citation needed]}

Commander edit

• Farah Alibay^[7]
• Louise Arbour
• Kim Yaroshevskaya

Officer edit

• Madeleine Careau
• Claude Gagnon
• Linda Gauthier
• Mandeep Roshi Chadha
• Danièle Sauvageau
• Roland Smith

Knight edit

• Carl-Éric Aubin
• Bertrand Cesvet
• René Dallaire
• Jean Pierre Desrosiers
• Marie-Josée Hébert
• Marie Houzeau
• Sophie Labrecque
• Jeannot Painchaud

• Order of Hamilton
• Order of Ottawa

• Official English website
• Official French website