Canada approves foreign and NATO honours

Summary#

On February 27, 2021, The Chancellery of Honours announced that the Government of Canada has approved a series of honours given to Canadians by foreign governments and by NATO. The notice lists which awards were approved and the names of the Canadians who received them.

What it does#

• Publishes a list of foreign and international honours that Canada has approved for Canadians.
• Lists awards from these governments and organizations (with examples):
  • Government of the Commonwealth of Australia — Public Service Medal to Mr. Charles Cameron MacLachlan.
  • Government of Japan — several grades of the Order of the Rising Sun to people including Mr. David Worts and Mr. Dan Goodman.
  • Government of the Republic of Korea — Order of National Security Merit, Guksun Medal to Lieutenant‑General Wayne Donald Eyre, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
  • Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — Knight of the Order of the Oak Crown to Mr. Paul Willox.
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) — NATO Meritorious Service Medal to several Canadian military officers, including Lieutenant‑Colonel David Ross Canavan, M.S.M., C.D.
  • Government of New Zealand — Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit to Ms. Janet Lynn Lane.
  • Government of the Republic of Poland — Cross with Swords of the Order of the Cross of Independence (posthumous) to Mr. Zbigniew Franciszek Pierscianowski.
  • Government of Ukraine — awards including the Order of Merit, 3rd Class to Ms. Lenna Koszarny and the Cross of Ivan Mazepa to Mr. Marco Levytsky and Dr. James Rutka.
  • Government of the United States of America — many U.S. military decorations (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, Air Medals, etc.) to several members of the Canadian Armed Forces, including Lieutenant‑General Christopher John Coates, C.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.

Who's affected#

• The named individuals listed in the notice. Examples include Mr. Charles Cameron MacLachlan, Mr. David Worts, Lieutenant‑General Wayne Donald Eyre, Mr. Paul Willox, Lieutenant‑Colonel David Ross Canavan, Ms. Janet Lynn Lane, Mr. Zbigniew Franciszek Pierscianowski (posthumous), Ms. Lenna Koszarny, Dr. James Rutka, and Lieutenant‑General Christopher John Coates.
• Many recipients are current or former members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Their units, families, and communities are likely to notice the awards.
• The general public: this is a public record of international honours involving Canadians.

Why it matters#

• These approvals publicly record and confirm international honours given to Canadians.
• They recognize service, achievement or contribution abroad — often military cooperation, diplomacy, public service, or community work.
• For recipients, such honours are a mark of recognition and can matter for reputation, morale, and historical record.
• This notice does not create new laws or rights; it is a formal announcement of awards approved by the Government of Canada.