Premier launches Order of Newfoundland and Labrador nomination process

Premier Roger Grimes today unveiled the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, considered the highest honour a Newfoundlander and Labradorian can receive. Lieutenant Governor Edward Roberts and Chief Justice Clyde Wells joined with the Premier in the ceremony.

"It is a pleasure to launch the nomination process for this prestigious honour, as a way to recognize citizens whose excellence and achievement have benefited the people of the province," said Premier Grimes.

"As Chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, it will be a great joy to bestow upon our deserving and distinguished citizens this prestigious commendation," said Lieutenant Governor Roberts.

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador is the highest honour in the province. The objective of the Order is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour benefiting in an outstanding manner Newfoundland and Labrador and its residents. The criteria for receiving this award are very high.

"It is my great pleasure and privilege to chair the advisory council and have the opportunity to learn more about the outstanding individuals in our province," said Chief Justice Wells. "I am certain we will receive many worthy nominations."

Nominations for the first inductees into the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador will be accepted for this year until September 30. Nominations may be made at any time throughout the year and will remain active for a three year period.

An independent committee chaired by the Chief Justice of Newfoundland and Labrador will review supporting documentation provided by nominators to determine Order inductees.

"It is a privilege to have created the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador will celebrate all that reflects the innovative, creative, compassionate and humanitarian nature that is Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to recognizing just some of the remarkable individuals who make outstanding contributions to our province," said Premier Grimes.

Photo # 1: Participating in the unveiling of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador insignia at Government House today (August 14) were His Honour Lieutenant Governor Edward Roberts, Her Honour Eve Roberts, Premier Roger Grimes and Chief Justice Clyde K. Wells.

Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Web site

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960.

Backgrounders

The Act to Establish the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador received Royal Assent on May 24, 2001, after being passed by the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The objective of the Order is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour, benefitting in an outstanding manner the province and its residents.

The Lieutenant Governor is a member of the Order, as well as its Chancellor.

The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Advisory Council includes the Chief Justice of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Clerk of the Executive Council and the President of Memorial University, who serve by virtue of their positions. No more than four other members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, for a term of three years.

Any Canadian citizen who is a current or former long-term resident of the province is eligible to be nominated for and to receive the Order.

Members of the House of Assembly or legislative assembly of a province, the Canadian Senate, House of Commons and judges of a court are not eligible to be nominated or receive the Order while they are in office.

On being invested, a person is a member of the Order for life, unless the member resigns or his or her membership is terminated. Membership termination is possible on the recommendation of the Advisory Council.

No more than eight individuals will be inducted into the Order in each year.

The insignia of the Order is in the shape of a stylized pitcher plant (sarracenia purpurea Linnaeus), which was declared Newfoundland and Labrador�s floral emblem in 1954. The petals are crafted with the provincial mineral, Labradorite. The pitcher plant is found primarily in bogs and marshland throughout the province. It has a large wine-red flower with a red and gold centre, and hollow pitcher-shaped leaves are attached to the base of the stem.

The insignia of the Order has at its centre the Arms of the Province, granted by King Charles I, in January 1638. The Arms incorporate some of the most ancient heraldic symbols, the unicorn representing Scotland and the lion representing England.

The gold elements of the medal represent the excellence of achievement that the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes. The Crown is taken from the official standard of the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Chancellor of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador. It symbolizes honour and merit, and recalls Newfoundland and Labrador�s place as a province of the constitutional monarchy of Canada and as part of the Commonwealth.

The colours of the ribbon are those often used in provincial flags and ribbons:
The green evokes the land and our forests.
The white represents the snow and ice that covers much of our province in winter.
The blue symbolizes the sea that has shaped so much of our heritage.
The gold symbolizes the richness of our province and its people.

2003 08 14                                      11:00 a.m.