The Order of Nova Scotia (Ordre de la Nouvelle-Écosse in French), instituted on 2 August 2001, is a civilian honor for merit in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The Order the highest honor amongst all others conferred by the Nova Scotia Crown.
The Order of Nova Scotia is intended to honor any current or former longtime resident of Nova Scotia who has demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field, having “distinguished themselves in many fields of endeavor and having brought honor and prestige to themselves and to Nova Scotia.” Canadian citizenship is a requirement, and those who are elected or appointed members of a governmental body are ineligible as long as they hold office.
The Order of Nova Scotia Design
New Members are presented with an insignia. The badge consists of a gold medallion in the form of a stylized epigaea repens (or mayflower)—the official provincial flower.
The obverse is made in white enamel with gold edging, and bearing at its center the escutcheon of the arms of Nova Scotia, surmounted by a St. Edward’s Crown symbolizing the Canadian monarch’s role as the fount of honor.
The ribbon is patterned with vertical stripes in red, blue, gold, and white; men wear the medallion suspended from this ribbon at the collar, while women carry theirs on a ribbon bow at the left chest.
