Lifetime Of Service

A Matter of Equality

The Hon. Donald Oliver’s autobiography, A Matter of Equality: The Life’s Work of Senator Don Oliverwas released on Sept. 28 by Nimbus Press. This long-awaited book examines the legacy of the first man, and the second Canadian, to bring the Black experience directly to the Canadian Senate. Below are numerous links and letters about the launch of this book.

Don Oliver’s ‘A Matter of Equality’: The Epitome of ‘Ubuntu’

Senator Oliver was recently featured in the Policy Magazine: Canadian Policy and Public Policy. Published in October 2021 by Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, the first African Nova Scotian woman to be appointed to the Senate. Read the details.

 

Feature in The Grapevine

Senator Oliver was recently featured in the February 2022 issue of The Grapevine, an arts and culture paper covering the Annapolis Valley, N.S. Read the interview.

Learn More about A Matter of Equality

Medals and Awards

Member of the order of Canada

member of the order of Canada

Recipient Order of Canada, a trailblazer who has enriched the lives of others and made a positive difference to Canada. Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. This honour is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall but for the first time in the history of Canada, the event was held virtually due to the COVID19 pandemic

Description

The insignia of the Order is a stylized snowflake of six points with a red annulus at its centre which bears a stylized maple leaf circumscribed with the motto of the Order, DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country), surmounted by the Royal Crown. It is struck in fine silver and is composed of three individual pieces: the snowflake, annulus, and maple leaf. The colour is added by hand through a unique application of opaque and translucent viscous enamel.

The design of the insignia of the Order of Canada dates from 1967 and is credited to Bruce Beatty, CM, SOM, CD. The technical drawings used by the Royal Canadian Mint in this new generation of the insignia were developed by the Canadian Heraldic Authority at the Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. The insignia is manufactured by the Mint at its Ottawa facility. The ribbon of the Order is white, 38 mm wide, with red edges (9 mm).

Learn more: Order of Canada video 

Recipient Order of Nova Scotia, the provinces highest honor, which recognizes outstanding citizens for making significant and lasting contributions to their communities.

Established in 2001, the Order of Nova Scotia is a single class Order awarded to residents of Nova Scotia who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to the cultural life or to the social or economic well-being of the province, by an outstanding achievement or by excelling in any field of endeavor to the benefit of the people of the province and elsewhere.

Appointments to the Order was made by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Advisory Council of the Order of Nova Scotia.

 Learn more: Photos Gallery

 

The Order of Nova Scotia

order nova scotia

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal

Recipient of The Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of significant service to the province and demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their profession. 

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal (Provincial) commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the Throne as Queen of Canada. While no national medal was created on this occasion, several Canadian provinces created their own Royal commemorative medal, uniform in design, scope and intent and aligned with previous national programs for such anniversaries. The medals are administered by the various provinces which created them, namely Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

 

Description

A circular medal, silver in colour and 32 mm in diameter, bearing:

  • On the obverse, a contemporary crowned effigy of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada, facing right, circumscribed with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA” and “CANADA”, separated by small maple leaves.
  • On the reverse, the shield of the awarding province surmounted by the Royal Cypher, on either sides of which appear the dates “1952” and “2022”, the provincial flowers appear on either side of the shield and, in the base, are inscribed the words “VIVAT” and “REGINA” meaning “Long Live The Queen”.

A 12 mm ring, which holds the ribbon, passes through a small hollow ball at the top of a claw joined to the top of the medal.
The ribbon is 32 mm in width with a white stripe in the centre, 2 mm in width, on each side of which are red stripes, 3 mm in width, followed by white stripes, 10 mm in width and blue edge stripes, 2 mm in width. This ribbon is a variation of the 1953 Coronation Medal, 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal and 2012 Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbons.

 

Learn more: Photos Gallery 

The recipient made significant contributions to Canada and an outstanding achievement that has brought great credit to Nova Scotia. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

 

Description

A circular medal, silver in color and 32 mm in diameter, bearing:

  • On the obverse, a contemporary crowned effigy of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada, facing right, circumscribed with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA” and “CANADA”, separated by small maple leaves.
  • On the reverse, a diamond-cut field, on which is superimposed a lozenge inscribed with the Royal Cypher, placed on four maples leaves, incorporating the dates “1952” and “2012” at the sides and, in the base, two scrolls bearing the words “VIVAT” and “REGINA” respectively.

A 0.5 inch (12 mm) ring, which holds the ribbon, passes through a small hollow ball at the top of a claw joined to the top of the medal.

The ribbon is 32 mm in width with a red stripe in the center, 2 mm in width, on each side of which are white stripes, 3 mm in width, followed by red stripes, 10 mm in width and blue edge stripes, 2 mm in width. This ribbon is a variation of the 1953 Coronation Medal, 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, and 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal ribbons.

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Medal

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal commemorates the 50th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the throne. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

Description

A circular gold-plated bronze medal, 1.25 inches (32 mm) in diameter, with a thin raised edge.

On the obverse, Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the King George IV State Diadem, facing right, circumscribed with the inscriptions "QUEEN OF CANADA" , "REINE DU CANADA".

On the reverse, the design of a stylised maple leaf with “CANADA” at the bottom and the years “1952” and “2002” on the left and right of the Royal Cypher and Crown.

A 0.5 inch (4 mm) gold ring, which holds the ribbon, passes through smaller ring attached to the top of the medal.

The colour of the ribbon is royal blue, with red outer stripes, double white stripe, and a red central stripe. This ribbon is identical to its British counterpart and is a variation of the 1953 Coronation Medal and the 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal ribbons.

The Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal commemorates the 25th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second to the throne. National organizations in every important field of endeavour — including the professions, education and arts, veterans' groups, sports associations, philanthropic and charitable bodies, and welfare services — were asked to participate in submitting nominations. All members of the Order of Canada, Order of Military Merit, and recipients of the Canadian Bravery Decorations received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

Description

The circular silver medal, 1.25 inches (32 mm) in diameter, has a thin, smooth raised rim.

On the obverse, Queen Elizabeth II, facing right, wearing the high Imperial State Crown. The inscription around the rim reads “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF”.

On the reverse, a large stylized maple leaf with “CANADA” around the top rim and “1952 EIIR 1977” in small lettering around the bottom of the rim. The “EIIR” has a small crown on top. In very small letters above and between the “EIIR” and “1977” is the word “HUNT” (for the designer of the medal Dora de Pedery-Hunt).

A 0.5 inch (12 mm) silver ring, which holds the ribbon, passes through a small hollow ball at the top of a claw joined to the top of the medal.

The ribbon has a watered white colour (representing the silver), with cardinal red edge stripes. The middle is garter blue, with a cardinal strip running through its centre. This ribbon is identical to its British counterpart and is a variation of the 1953 Coronation Medal ribbon.

Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal

Senate of Canada ‘s 150th Anniversary Medal

Description

The commemorative medal award was in celebration of the 150th anniversary of  Senate of Canada's first sitting. Awarded for those actively involved in their communities who, through generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work, make their hometowns, communities, regions, provinces or territories a better place to live.

The medal was awarded for making a significant contribution to fellow citizens, my community, and to Canada. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

 

Description

The medal is circular in form, made of copper and zinc alloy, rhodium-plated (appears bright silver), and is 1.42 inches (36 mm) in diameter.

  • on the obverse, The Royal Cypher (EIIR) surmounted by a crown superimposed on a large single maple leaf, circumscribed with the legend “CONFEDERATION CONFÉDÉRATION” and the dates “1867 – 1992” at the bottom.
  • on the reverse, the shield of arms of Canada encircled by the motto ribbon of the Order of Canada (which contains the words “DESIDERANTE MELIOREM PATRIAM”) ensigned by the central portion of the crest of Canada (a crowned lion holding a maple leaf in the right front paw) and circumscribed with the motto “A MARI USQUE AD MARE” at the bottom.

A claw at the top of the medal attaches to a straight bar, with a maple leaf at the top of the claw where the claw attaches to the bar.

The ribbon is white with edges of blue and five red stripes equally spaced between the two blue stripes. It is similar to the Centennial Medal ribbon, except it has blue edges and one extra red stripe. The red and white are the official colors of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921, the blue borders symbolize the motto of Canada, A MARI USQUE AD MARE (From sea to sea), and the five thin red stripes each represent a quarter century for one hundred and twenty five years.

125 Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal

Canadian Centennial Medal

This medal commemorates the Centennial of Canada's Confederation in 1867 and was awarded due to recommendation by governments and associations. This medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall.

 

Description

A circular silver medal 1.42 inches (36 mm) in diameter with a thin plain raised rim:

  • On the obverse The Royal Cypher EIIR surmounted by a crown is superimposed on a large single maple leaf. The inscription around the circumference reads “CONFEDERATION CANADA CONFÉDÉRATION” with the word “CANADA” at the top of the medal.
  • On the reverse The Coat of Arms of Canada with the dates 1867 – 1967 located under the Coat of Arms. A wide triangular fixed suspender (0.1875" high) is attached to the medal by a prominent single-toe claw.
  • The ribbon is white with red edges and four equally spaced red stripes between the red edges: the red and white are the official colours of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921, the red borders and white center are inspired by the new Canadian flag approved two years before the creation of this medal, and the four thin red stripes each represent a quarter century for one hundred years.

5 Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Canadian Universities

He was awarded doctorate degrees by the following Canadian universities in recognition of his achievements as an outspoken, social activist who fought for equity of target groups, the disabled, indigenous invisible minorities, and the visible minorities.

  1. Honorary Doctor of Laws – Saint Mary’s University 
  2. Honorary Doctor of Laws – York University 
  3. Honorary Doctor of Civil Law – Acadia University 
  4. Honorary Doctor of Laws – University of Guelph 
  5. Honorary Doctor of Laws – Dalhousie University 

Learn more: Photos

Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Honorary Doctorate Degrees

Testimonials