Do you know an inspiring Montrealer? Submit their nomination!
The Ordre de Montréal is the highest honorary award bestowed by the Ville de Montréal. It was created as a legacy of Montréal’s 375th anniversary. The Ordre recognizes the talents and achievements of men and women who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following ways:
The Ordre de Montréal includes three ranks that are awarded in accordance with the scope of achievements. A medal is associated with each rank. The ranks are, in descending order:
The council of the Ordre de Montréal plays an advisory role. Its main mandate is to review the nomination files and to make recommendations about admission to the Ordre to the mayor of Montréal. It may also make suggestions regarding the management of the Ordre and all matters intended to safeguard the prestige and reputation of the Ordre.
The council of the Ordre consists of nine prominent Montrealers named by the City’s executive committee, upon the recommendation of the mayor. It is presided over by one man and one woman. The choice of members is a testimony to the importance that the Ordre de Montréal places on gender equality, Montréal’s diversity and the values of excellence.
To be nominated to the Ordre, a person must meet one or more of the following criteria:
Montréal’s urban agglomeration consists of 16 municipalities that form the Island of Montréal, that is, Ville de Montréal (19 boroughs) and the 15 municipalities reconstituted on January 1, 2006. To consult the list of municipalities involved.
Important : The following persons may not be nominated to the Ordre:
Businesses, companies, institutions, government agencies, associations and other organizations cannot become members of the Ordre. Only persons are admitted.
Any person who wishes to do so may put forward a nomination.
The nomination must be supported by two persons.
Important: The following persons may not be admitted to the Ordre nor may they put forward or support a nomination:
As such, an organization – business, company, institution, government agency, association, and the like – cannot put forward or support a nomination. Nominations must be made and supported by two persons, either personally (e.g. friend, parent, admirer) or professionally (e.g. colleague, manager, associate).
You have until October 31 to put forward a nomination by completing the form provided for this purpose.
The form is available at all times. You will find an interactive version on this website.
The minimum time frame for renominating a rejected candidate is 2 years. The minimum time frame for nominating a member to a higher rank is 5 years.
No, a person may not put forward his or her own nomination to the Ordre.
No, posthumous nominations are not accepted. However, on December 17, 2016, the Ordre de Montréal admited all persons who received the title of Great Montrealer over the years, including the deceased. This exceptional provision ensured the transition from the Academy of Great Montrealers to the Ordre de Montréal.
It should be pointed out that the Academy of Great Montrealers was created in 1988 by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, which itself had taken over an initiative by Canadian National (CN) introduced in 1978. From 1978 to 2014, approximately 100 Montrealers have been recognized for their involvement in the city’s cultural, scientific, economic and social life.
The nominee’s file is processed, as follows:
The executive committee of Ville de Montréal names the recipients, based on the recommendation of the mayor.
The Ordre holds an official presentation ceremony on May 17 of each year, during which newly admitted members and members named to a higher rank receive their insignia. This ceremony normally takes place at Montréal city hall.
The Great Montrealers are approximately 100 distinguished Montrealers who have been honoured by CN (from 1978 to 1984) and by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (from 1984 to 2014). Out of respect for this outstanding legacy, these individuals have been admitted officially as members of the Ordre de Montréal, at the rank of commander, on December 17, 2016.
Membership in the Ordre carries with it the following privileges:
The full-size medal and smaller medal are worn during official ceremonies. The bar is worn at all times on business attire.
Being a member of the Ordre de Montréal is, first and foremost, a source of pride. No material or monetary benefits are associated with admission to the Ordre.
Yes. A member who no longer wishes to belong to the Ordre may forward a notice of withdrawal to the Secretariat of the Ordre, thereby advising the mayor and co-chairs of the council of the Ordre of this decision. Upon receipt of the notice, the member is considered as being struck off the membership roll and must return his or her insignia to the Secretariat of the Ordre.
Yes. The executive committee, upon the recommendation of the mayor, may temporarily or permanently strike a person off the membership roll of the Ordre when that individual’s behaviour is likely to tarnish the dignity of the Ordre and its members. The person stricken off the membership roll must immediately return his or her insignia to the Secretariat of the Ordre.