Grits cancel celebratory medal, Tories charge

OTTAWA • The Liberal government has put the brakes on plans to issue a commemorative medal for the 150th anniversary of Canadian confederation, Tories are alleging.

Peter Van Loan, the Conservative critic for Canadian heritage, says the previous government “had begun work on a plan for a commemorative medal” to mark the anniversary. But Canadian Heritage says there are no such plans.

Neither the department nor the heritage minister’s office would confirm or deny the cancellation of a medal program.

Nor would they say whether it has been replaced with something else.

“In 2017, we will recognize the contribution of many hard-working Canadians,” department spokesman Tim Warmington said.

“There are currently no plans to have a commemorative medal program; however, the contribution of great Canadians will be recognized through a wide range of projects that will be announced in due course.”

The office of Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly had “no further comment on this matter,” said press secretary Pierre-Olivier Herbert. He said Joly was not available for an interview.

Not issuing medals in 2017 would be a break from tradition.

Throughout Canadian history, Liberal and Conservative governments have used such medals “to mark important anniversaries and other great occasions,” as the governor general’s website puts it.

“It is unfortunate that the current Liberal government has shown no interest in continuing this tradition,” Van Loan said.

About 42,000 commemorative medals were issued in 1992, under Brian Mulroney’s Progressive Conservatives, for the 125th anniversary of Confederation.

Medals were also issued in 1967, for the 100th anniversary, under Liberal prime minister Lester B. Pearson.

Nominations for medals typically come from provincial officials, MPs, senators, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other federal departments.

Commemorative medals also have been awarded on the Queen’s key anniversaries.

There were medals for her silver jubilee in 1977 and her golden jubilee in 2002.

Most recently, the Conservative government issued about 60,000 medals for the monarch’s diamond jubilee in 2012.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF GREAT CANADIANS WILL BE RECOGNIZED.