National Order of Quebec - Structure and Appointment

Structure and Appointment

Though the National Order of Quebec was established with the granting of Royal Assent by Quebec's lieutenant governor and the Canadian sovereign is the fount of honour, the viceroy does not, unlike in other provinces, form an explicit part of the organization. Instead, the monarch's representative is related to the order only by virtue of his or her place in council, collectively termed the government of Quebec, to which the constitution of the Order of Quebec makes specific reference.

The order contains three grades, each with accordant post-nominal letters and place in the Canadian order of precedence for honours, decorations, and medals. They are, in heirarchical order:

• Grand Officer (grand officier) (GOQ)
• Officer (officier) (OQ)
• Knight (chevalier) (CQ)

Nominations to the National Order of Quebec are sought in Quebec's daily and weekly media publications and are directed to the Council of the National Order of Quebec, elected by and amongst the members of the order for a period of three years, and headed by a president elected by the council for two years. This body is mandated to short-list candidates and forward their suggestions to the Governor-in-Council. Any person born, living, or who has lived in Quebec, save for anyone serving as a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec, is eligible to be nominated, and names may be submitted posthumously; admission recognizes conspicuous meritorious actions that improve or support Quebec and/or its language and culture. The Cabinet may also, without the input of the Council of the National Order of Quebec, put forward the names of non-Quebecers for appointment as honorary members. Promotion through the grades is possible for both substantive and honorary members.