Canada needs own medal to honour citizens' service in Far North

[torg003]

I wonder if this will mean the end of the ALERT (and possibly RANGER) bars to the SSM?  It would seem possible as you would think all arctic related service would go towards the new Polar Medal.  Maybe not, but considering the loss of bars due to CPSM and OSM-HUM, it is possible.

 

[Stoker]

I wonder if this will mean the end of the ALERT (and possibly RANGER) bars to the SSM?  It would seem possible as you would think all arctic related service would go towards the new Polar Medal.  Maybe not, but considering the loss of bars due to CPSM and OSM-HUM, it is possible.

Looks like you have to be nominated for it and not have a qualifying time period serving up North.

 

[Privateer]

I assumed that these are just to hand out to the people who found HMS Erebus, in a good-news arctic sovereignty photo-op just before the next election writ drops.

Sorry, got a case of the cynicals today.

 

[George Wallace]

It doesn't look like anything that would be awarded to anyone in the CAF for deployments to Alert, nor the Arctic (North of 60) regions on Operations.  To me, the wording makes it sound more like a "Civilian Award" for 'long term' contributions to northern culture and improvements to the North.

 

[daftandbarmy]

It doesn't look like anything that would be awarded to anyone in the CAF for deployments to Alert, nor the Arctic (North of 60) regions on Operations.  To me, the wording makes it sound more like a "Civilian Award" for 'long term' contributions to northern culture and improvements to the North.

I'm sure Harper did it so that he can award himself one.  ;D

 

[torg003]

It doesn't look like anything that would be awarded to anyone in the CAF for deployments to Alert, nor the Arctic (North of 60) regions on Operations.  To me, the wording makes it sound more like a "Civilian Award" for 'long term' contributions to northern culture and improvements to the North.

It also says, "It will also honour those individuals who have withstood the rigours of the polar climate to make significant contributions to polar exploration and knowledge, scientific research, and the securement of Canada’s Northern sovereignty."
So does sound like it should be made available to CAF members deployed in the Arctic as that seems to me to be the very definition of "securement of Canada's Northern sovereignty", but time will tell.  The part about contributions to northern culture and improvements to the North were the requirements for the Northern Medal (which was actually a medallion), which the Polar medal replaces, so they just kept that aspect of it and added the other part about exploration, research, and sovereignty to make it more like the original Polar medals.  It will be interesting to see what the actual requirements will be for any CAF members getting this award.

 

[shootemup604]

Most Canadian Rangers will get another addition to their rack?

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I'm sure Harper did it so that he can award himself one.  ;D

Looks like the Chief is seething, wanting to tell the PM to get his hands out of his pockets. ;D

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I have always liked that picture, though.

As there is no hint as to the existence of the rest of the berg, it looks like they are all on an ever and rapidly vanishing piece of ice melting under their feet and trying to figure out who will be the last one on it as it melts.  ;D

 

[eliminator]

First recipients announced here:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1566597/media-advisory-inaugural-presentation-ceremony-of-the-polar-medal-in-whitehorse

And more info here:

http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16120&lan=eng

 

[Privateer]

First recipients announced here:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1566597/media-advisory-inaugural-presentation-ceremony-of-the-polar-medal-in-whitehorse

And more info here:

http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16120&lan=eng

Called it.

 

[torg003]

The description in the link to the GG's website seems to have omitted the part about protecting sovereignty.  I guess that means not likely to go CAF personnel.  Maybe the military should come out with an Arctic Service Medal recognising service in the arctic protecting Canada's northern sovereignty.  (not likely to happen, but it's a thought).

 

[Stoker]

The description in the link to the GG's website seems to have omitted the part about protecting sovereignty.  I guess that means not likely to go CAF personnel.  Maybe the military should come out with an Arctic Service Medal recognising service in the arctic protecting Canada's northern sovereignty.  (not likely to happen, but it's a thought).

I checked and its still there.  "It also honours those individuals who have withstood the rigours of the polar climate to make significant contributions to polar exploration and knowledge, scientific research, and the securement of Canada’s northern sovereignty." http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16120&lan=eng