HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
3. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Canada was a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. As the country evolved into an independent state, suggestions for the development of its own honours system grew. However, there was little early incentive to move beyond the simple policy decision that Canadian citizens could not accept knighthoods or similar British honours which granted aristocratic titles. British orders, decorations and medals continued to be used, including during wars, when Canadian contingents formed part of deployed British forces.
4. Limited steps towards creating Canadian military honours were taken in the middle of this century, beginning with a few unique medals during the Second World War. After the war, a common medal for military long service and exemplary conduct, the Canadian Forces Decoration, was created to replace its several predecessors. This was followed by a special campaign medal for service in the Korean Conflict, a uniquely Canadian version of the Commonwealth's award issued at the behest of our government.
5. The watershed in the conversion to national honours occurred with the Centennial of Confederation in 1967. Initial awards created at that time were followed by a deliberate expansion of the Canadian honours system in 1972. Since then, practice,
experience and study have led to continued growth in the national system for recognizing the merit and deeds of those who serve Canada.
6. Accompanying this growth has been the development of commendations and like departmental awards emanating from the Chief of the Defence Staff to recognize activity beyond the demands of normal duty or of benefit to the CF or the country they serve.
