News Release Communiqué
September 8, 2010
NEW OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL ANNOUNCED
OTTAWA – Following the announcement made by the Governor General of Canada, the
Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, is pleased to convey the news
that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has approved the creation of the Operational Service
Medal (OSM). As part of the second wave of announcements following a major review of
all recognition provided for overseas service, this much welcome addition to the
Canadian honours system fills a gap in the overseas recognition framework. The OSM
will provide long-awaited recognition for military operations for which there were no
medals available.
“Canada is committed to contributing to international stability and security by
assisting those in need,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
“As Canadian Forces members are sent abroad in the service of Canada, our new overseas
recognition framework ensures that they receive the recognition that they deserve.”
The OSM will be awarded to those who, on or after 7 October 2001, served in a theatre
of operations, but not in the presence of an armed enemy. Also eligible are those who
worked in direct support of approved operations or served under dangerous circumstances
outside Canada, provided the service has not been recognized through another service
medal.
The OSM will be issued with different ribbons identifying specific theatres of operations,
including South-West Asia, Sierra Leone (Op SCULPTURE), Haiti (Op HALO), and Sudan
(Op AUGURAL). In addition, a Humanitas ribbon was created to recognize humanitarian
service, which will include Canada’s most recent relief efforts in Haiti (Op HESTIA)
and an Expedition ribbon was created to cover smaller operations conducted in dangerous
circumstances outside of Canada.
An inaugural presentation ceremony, presided over by the Governor General, will take
place at a later date.