The Order of Ontario (Ordre de l’Ontario in French), instituted in 1986, is the most prestigious official honor in the Canadian province of Ontario. This civilian order is administered by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council and is intended to honor current or former Ontario residents who have demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field, demonstrating “the best of Ontario’s caring and diverse society and [whose] lives have benefited society in Ontario and elsewhere”.
Canadian citizenship is not a requirement to be awarded the Order of Ontario. The process of finding qualified individuals begins with submissions from the public to the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat. The new Members are entitled to use the post-nominal letters OOnt.
The Order of Ontario Design
New Members of the Order are presented with an insignia. The main badge is a gold medallion in the form of a stylized trillium, the official provincial flower.
The obverse of the medal is made in white enamel with gold edging, bearing at its center the escutcheon of the arms of Ontario, surmounted by a St. Edward’s Crown symbolizing the Canadian monarch’s role as the fount of honor.
The reverse has the name of the Member engraved, along with the date of his or her investiture.
The ribbon is patterned with vertical stripes in red, green, white, and gold, reflecting the colors within the provincial coat of arms.
The insignia is worn suspended from this ribbon at the collar (for men) while women may carry theirs on a ribbon bow at the left chest.
