Victoria Cross (Canada)

Victoria Cross
The Canadian Victoria Cross, as appearing in a promotional photograph from the Canadian government, May 2008.
Type	Military decoration
Awarded for	The most conspicuous bravery, daring or pre-eminent acts of valour, self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
Presented by	The monarch of Canada
Eligibility	Members of the Canadian Armed Forces or an allied force serving with the Canadian Armed Forces on or after 1 January 1993.
Post-nominals	VC
Status	Currently awarded
Established	2 February 1993
Created by	Elizabeth II
Total recipients	0
Ribbon bar of the Victoria Cross
Precedence
Next (lower)	Cross of Valour

The Victoria Cross (VC; French: Croix de Victoria) was created in 1993, perpetuating the lineage of the British Victoria Cross, while serving as the highest award within the Canadian honours system, taking precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals. It is awarded by either the Canadian monarch or his viceregal representative, the governor general of Canada, to any member of the Canadian Armed Forces or allies serving under or with Canadian military command for extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing hostile forces. The British Victoria Cross was recommended prior to the creation of the Canadian medal. The previous Victoria Cross remains the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system and was also awarded in other Commonwealth countries; although most, including Canada, later established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours.

Whereas in many other Commonwealth countries the relevant version of the Victoria Cross can only be awarded for actions against the enemy in a wartime setting, the Canadian government has a broader definition of the term enemy. In Canada, the Victoria Cross can be awarded for action against armed mutineers, pirates, or other such hostile forces without war being officially declared. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters VC (for both English and French), but they do not receive an annuity for the award^[1]. The decoration has not been awarded since its inception.