Federal officials are reviewing public feedback and Indigenous perspectives as they look to modernize the Order of Canada, according to an internal presentation prepared for the Order of Canada Advisory Council. The April briefing, prepared by the Privy Council Office’s Impact and Innovation Unit, says some Indigenous community members encourage federal decision-makers to consider how the honours system can address “deep colonial symbolism and associations.” The materials also indicate that the study is aimed at understanding public awareness and perceptions of the Order of Canada. Sources report that the presentation is part of ongoing efforts to update how the honours system operates and is communicated, including ways to better reflect contemporary Canada and reduce associations that some communities see as rooted in colonial history.
While the reports focus on concerns about symbolism, they describe the work as an assessment of feedback and public understanding rather than a specific, announced change to the Order of Canada. The federal study therefore centers on gathering input and examining how the honours program can evolve in response to criticism and differing viewpoints.
