Bill 58 2008

An Act to create the Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definitions

   1.  In this Act,

"civilian" does not include a member of a police force, a volunteer firefighter or a person employed as a firefighter; ("civil")

"Honours and Awards Secretariat" means the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; ("Secrétariat des distinctions et prix")

"Minister" means the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration or whatever other member of the Executive Council to whom the administration of this Act is assigned under the Executive Council Act. ("ministre")

Medal

   2.  A civilian who performs an act of outstanding bravery shall be eligible to receive an Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery in accordance with this Act.

Criteria

   3.  (1)  The Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery shall be awarded to a civilian who,

  (a)  in the opinion of an independent advisory council to the Minister, performed an outstanding act of bravery to save or protect the life of another person;

  (b)  is ordinarily resident in Ontario;

   (c)  does not hold federal, provincial or municipal office at the time of the act of bravery or at the time the Medal is awarded; and

  (d)  is nominated by another person in accordance with subsection (2).

Nomination

   (2)  A nomination for an Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery under this Act shall be submitted to the Honours and Awards Secretariat in the form and by the date determined by the Secretariat.

Annual basis

   4.  The Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery shall be awarded on an annual basis on a date to be determined by the Honours and Awards Secretariat.

Number

   5.  The Honours and Awards Secretariat shall determine the number of Medals to be awarded each year.

Death of person

   6.  The Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery may be awarded to a person who died during or after the performance of the act of bravery.

Commencement

   7.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   8.  The short title of this Act is the Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery Act, 2008.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Currently, there is no provincial award available to civilians who perform an act of outstanding bravery.  The Bill creates the Ontario Medal for Civilian Bravery.  The Medal is awarded on an annual basis to civilians who, in the opinion of an independent advisory council to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, have performed an act of outstanding bravery to save or protect the life of another person.