The Governor General's Awards are a group of yearly honors given by Canada's Governor General to celebrate achievements in many areas, such as education, art, and community work.
The first award was started and began in 1937 by Lord Tweedsmuir, a person who wrote many books about real and imaginary events; he created the Governor General's Literary Award with two categories. Later governors general also created awards for areas they personally valued. Only Adrienne Clarkson established three Governor General's Awards: the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts, the Governor General's Northern Medal, and the Governor General's Medal in Architecture (this last one continued the Massey Medal, which was first created in 1950).
Governor General's Literary Awards
The Governor General's Literary Awards were started in 1937 for books published in 1936 in two categories. These awards are now one of Canada's most important literary prizes. Since 1987, there are fourteen categories: nonfiction (English and French), fiction (English and French), poetry (English and French), drama (English and French), young people's literature – text (English and French), young people's literature – illustration (English and French), and translation (English-to-French and French-to-English). The program was created by Lord Tweedsmuir, the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps. At first, awards were only given for fiction and nonfiction books. Until 1959, the program only honored English-language works, although sometimes English translations of French books won. The Stephen Leacock Award for humor literature, managed separately and given at a different ceremony, was first announced alongside the Governor General's Awards during this time.
In 1957, the awards were managed by the Canada Council for the Arts, and a cash prize was added for winners. By 1980, the council began announcing finalists a month before the awards to gain more media attention. In 2007, the cash prize was increased to $25,000.
Before Adrienne Clarkson became governor general, Rideau Hall had fewer than 75% of the books that had won the Governor General's Literary Awards. Clarkson worked to find missing books from fairs and secondhand shops to complete the collection for the governor general's study. When she left her role in 2005, the full collection of all winning books up to that time had been gathered. By late 2006, the collection included 552 books and was moved to Rideau Hall's library. Today, it is the only complete collection of Governor General's Literary Award winners in existence.
Governor General's Medals in Architecture
The Governor General's Medals in Architecture have been given out since 1982. These medals started a tradition that began with the Massey Medals for Architecture, which were given from 1950 to 1970. Every two years, up to twelve medals are awarded, and all medals are the same. The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada organizes the competition.
Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case
The Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case were first given in 1979 by Governor General Edward Schreyer. These awards recognize efforts to promote equality for girls and women in Canada. Each year, five awards are presented to individuals selected from across the country, and one additional award is given to a Canadian youth. The awards are managed by Status of Women Canada and can be given to people of any gender. In 2008, Ben Barry became the first man to receive this award.
Governor General's Performing Arts Awards
The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards are the most important awards given for outstanding work in the performing arts. These awards honor excellence in dance, classical music, popular music, film, broadcasting, and theatre. They were started in 1992 by Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn. The first winners included William Hutt, Gweneth Lloyd, Dominique Michel, Mercedes Palomino, Oscar Peterson, Léopold Simoneau, Norman Jewison, Gilles Maheu, and CARBONE 14. At first, the award came with a $15,000 prize from the Canada Council. Today, winners receive $25,000 and a special medal made by the Royal Canadian Mint. Two additional awards are also given: the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts, which honors individuals or groups who help the performing arts without pay, and the National Arts Centre Award, which recognizes an artist or company’s work from the past year. A mentorship program pairs award winners with artists who are in the early or middle stages of their careers. Since 2008, the National Film Board of Canada has created short films about each winner. These films are shown at the awards ceremony and shared online.
Governor General's History Awards
In 1996, Governor General Roméo LeBlanc and Canada's National History Society started the Governor General's History Awards to recognize outstanding teaching of Canadian history. Later, the society worked with other history groups, such as the Begbie Society, Canadian Historical Association, Canadian Museums Association, and Historica-Dominion Institute, to include more people who teach history in different ways and places. Today, the awards have five categories: the Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Teaching, the Governor General's History Award for Scholarly Research (Sir John A. Macdonald Prize), the Governor General's History Award for Popular Media (Pierre Berton Award), the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Museums, and the Governor General's History Awards for Excellence in Community Programming.
Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts
The Governor General's Awards in Visual Arts and Media Arts began in 2000. The Canada Council for the Arts provides funding and manages the awards.
Each year, six prizes are given to visual and media artists who have shown outstanding work over their careers. These prizes recognize achievements in fine arts (such as painting, drawing, photography, print-making, and sculpture), applied arts (like architecture and fine crafts), independent film and video, or audio and new media. One additional prize is awarded annually to someone who has made significant contributions to visual or media arts through volunteer or professional work. Each award is worth $15,000. Winners are chosen by an independent group of senior professionals in visual and media arts.
Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table
The Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table was created in 2006 by Jean-Daniel Lafond, the husband of Governor General Michaëlle Jean. The award honors Canadians, either as individuals or groups, who have improved the quality, variety, and sustainability of food and drinks in Canada. Jean-Daniel Lafond and Governor General Michaëlle Jean talked to many people in Canada who work in food production, chefs, people who organize food festivals, wine experts, and others to develop the award.
The award has six categories:
1. Creativity and Innovation: Recognizes people who share new and creative ideas, products, or techniques related to food or drink.
2. Education and Awareness: Recognizes people who help more people learn about the importance of food and drinks in Canada.
3. Leadership: Recognizes people who lead others to build stronger communities connected to food and drinks.
4. Mentorship and Inspiration: Recognizes role models who guide and encourage others in the food and drinks industry.
5. Stewardship and Sustainability: Recognizes people who work to protect the environment, ensure food security, and promote health.
6. Youth: Recognizes young Canadians who show promise in improving the quality, variety, awareness, and sustainability of food and drinks.
A group of experts in food and drinks reviews nominations for the award. Winners receive a pin to wear on their lapel and a framed certificate with the heraldic shield of the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table.
Governor General's Innovation Awards
In 2016, Governor General David Johnston started the Governor General's Innovation Awards to honor Canadians who developed very important and groundbreaking innovations that make a real difference in Canada and around the world. These innovations can come from government, business, or non-profit organizations, but the applicants must show clear results from their work. The awards are not for recognizing lifetime achievements. The Rideau Hall Foundation, which Johnston also created, manages the awards. Each year, six awards are given out, and winners are chosen through a two-step process based on their achievements.
The awards receive money from both the public and private sectors and work with many organizations across Canada. The original partners included the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, the Rideau Hall Foundation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. The Globe and Mail helps spread information about the awards, and Facebook supports their digital efforts.
Other
- The Governor General's Academic Medal
- The Governor General's Award for Safety in the Workplace
- The Governor General's Conservation Award
- The Governor General's Award for Debate; established in 1981 to recognize the top speaker at the National Debating Seminar of Canada
- The Governor General's Flight For Freedom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literacy; established by Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn
- The Governor General's Fencing Award; established in 1965 by Governor General Georges Vanier
- The Governor General's International Award for Canadian Studies; established in 1995 by Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn
- The Governor General's Caring Canadian Award; established in 1995 by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc. It was changed and added to the Canadian honours system as the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2015.
- The Governor General's Northern Medal, established in 2005 by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. It was changed and added to the Canadian honours system as the Polar Medal in 2015.