National Order of Quebec Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids National Order of Quebec Ordre national du Québec
Flag of the order
Awarded by the lieutenant governor of Quebec-in-Council
Type	Order of merit (provincial)
Established	20 June 1984
Motto	Honneur au peuple du Québec (French for 'Homage to the people of Quebec')
Eligibility	Residents of Quebec nominated by the Council and non-Quebeckers nominated by the Premier of Quebec
Status	Currently constituted
Founder	Gilles Lamontagne
Grades	Grand Officer (grand officier/grande officière) (GOQ) Officer (officier/officière) (OQ) Knight (chevalier/chevalière) (CQ)
Precedence
Next (higher)	Venerable Order of Saint John
Next (lower)	Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Ribbon bar of a Grand Officer Ribbon bar of an Officer

The National Order of Quebec, also known as the Order of Quebec, is a special award given in Quebec, Canada. It is the highest honor someone can receive in Quebec. This award celebrates people who have done amazing things to help Quebec or make it a better place. It was created in 1984 by the government of Quebec. The award can be given to people who live or have lived in Quebec, and also to people from outside Quebec who have made a big difference.

How the Order Works
The Awards and Medals
Famous Members
- Quebec Members
- Members from Outside Quebec
See also

How the Order Works

The National Order of Quebec has three different levels, or "grades." Each level has its own special title and is recognized in a specific way. These levels are:

Grand Officer (called grand officier for men and grande officière for women)
Officer (called officier for men and officière for women)
Knight (called chevalier for men and chevalière for women)

People are chosen for the National Order of Quebec after being nominated. Anyone can suggest a person for the award. These suggestions are sent to a special group called the Council of the National Order of Quebec. This council looks at all the nominations and picks the best candidates. Then, they send their choices to the government of Quebec for final approval.

To be nominated, a person must have been born in Quebec, live there, or have lived there. However, people who are currently serving as a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec cannot be nominated. Sometimes, people are even nominated after they have passed away. The government can also choose people from outside Quebec to be honorary members. Being promoted to a higher level in the Order is also possible for members. The award is given to those who have done great things that help or support Quebec, its language, or its culture.

The Awards and Medals

Frederick Andermann wearing the insignia of an Officer in 2013

When someone is chosen for the Order of Quebec, they receive special medals and pins. These items were designed by Madeleine Dansereau. She was inspired by the Flag of Quebec, which uses blue and white colors and a symbol called the fleur-de-lis. These colors and the fleur-de-lis are also on the Order's ribbon and medals.

The medals look a bit different for each level:

Grand Officers receive a cross-shaped medal made of two gold plates. It has a white enamel fleur-de-lis on it.
Officers receive a similar cross-shaped medal, but it is a bit smaller. It has a gold fleur-de-lis on the front.
Knights receive a round silver medal with a cross and a gold fleur-de-lis on it.

All members also get smaller versions of their medals and a special pin to wear on their everyday clothes. Men wear their medals on a ribbon around their neck (for Grand Officers and Officers) or on their chest (for Knights). Women Grand Officers and Officers wear their medals on a ribbon bow pinned to their left shoulder. Women Knights wear their medals like the men.

The Premier of Quebec usually presents these awards. The ceremony takes place in the Parliament Building in Quebec City. The medals are actually owned by the government of Quebec. If someone stops being a member of the Order, they must return the medals.

Famous Members

Many famous and important people have been inducted into the National Order of Quebec. Here are a few examples:

Quebec Members

Grand Officer

Jean Béliveau, a famous hockey player.
Lucien Bouchard, a former Premier of Quebec.
Leonard Cohen, a well-known singer-songwriter.
Celine Dion, a world-famous singer.
Jean Drapeau, a former mayor of Montreal.
René Lévesque, a former Premier of Quebec.
Brian Mulroney, a former Prime Minister of Canada.
Jacques Parizeau, a former Premier of Quebec.
Jean-Paul Riopelle, a famous painter.
Gilles Vigneault, a popular singer-songwriter.

Officer

Laurent Beaudoin, a successful businessman.
Boris Brott, a well-known conductor.
Jean Coutu, a businessman who founded a pharmacy chain.
Robert Lepage, a famous playwright and filmmaker.
Maurice Richard, a legendary hockey player.
Mary Simon, the current Governor General of Canada.

Knight

Denys Arcand, a celebrated filmmaker.
Sylvie Bernier, an Olympic diver.
Émile Bouchard, a hockey player.
Gaétan Boucher, a speed skater.
Isabelle Boulay, a popular singer.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, an NFL player and doctor.
Guy Lafleur, a famous hockey player.
Mario Lemieux, a legendary hockey player.
Oscar Peterson, a world-renowned jazz musician.
Julie Payette, a Canadian astronaut.
Chantal Petitclerc, a Paralympic wheelchair athlete and senator.
Michel Tremblay, a well-known playwright and author.
Denis Villeneuve, a famous director and screenwriter.

Members from Outside Quebec

Honorary Grand Officer

Charles Dutoit, a conductor.
François Hollande, a former President of France.

Honorary Officer

Raymond Barre, a former Prime Minister of France.
Jacques Chirac, a former President of France.
Antonine Maillet, an Acadian writer.
Nana Mouskouri, a Greek singer.

Honorary Knight

David Azrieli, an architect.
Bernard Pivot, a television host.

National Order of Quebec facts for kids

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