Medal of Merit
First presented in 1972, the Medal of Merit is an award given to a person or a group of people from Sault Ste. Marie in recognition of outstanding achievement or contribution to the community.
Nominations
Nominations are accepted by the City Clerk in November of each year on behalf of a person who:
- Individually, or as a member of a group or team, achieved provincial or national championship status in an athletic or other competitive endeavour;
- Individually, or as a member of a group or team, achieved a standard of excellence in a cultural or academic field
- Over a period of years has made an outstanding contribution to the community;
- Is a youth (under 18 years of age) or member of a youth group or team with achievements in the identified areas (1)(2) or (3) above.
A committee comprised of the Mayor acting as chair, and four other persons representing Business or Professional, the Judiciary, Labour, and a Citizen at Large chooses Medal of Merit recipients. Recipients are traditionally announced on New Year’s Eve.
About the Medal
The sterling silver medal, circular in design, has the City coat of arms embossed on the face. The band encircling the coat of arms is inscribed “Medal of Merit, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario”. The ribbon with clasp is attached to the medal with a silver bar.
The three colours depicted in the ribbon, gold, blue and grey, are intended to project the image of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as a flourishing and prosperous city. The gold band is symbolic of the Civic Centre, which is a landmark on the seaway, and the centre of local government in the area. The blue band represents the water or seaway upon the banks of which Sault Ste. Marie is situated and is the reason for its existence. The grey band represents industry, and in particular steel, which is our foundation and strength.
For more information, the following document is available for download:
Medal of Merit Nomination Form