Vimy Award
Call for Nominations 2025
Nominations now open.
Established in 1991, the Vimy Award stands as one of Canada’s most prestigious honours, recognizing a distinguished Canadian who has made a significant, outstanding, and enduring contribution to the defence and security of our nation, and to the safeguarding of the democratic values we hold dear.
This award not only celebrates individual excellence in leadership, service, and commitment but also highlights the critical importance of national defence and public service in shaping Canada’s future.
Each year, the Vimy Award is presented during Remembrance Week timeframe at the Annual Vimy Gala, a nationally recognized event that brings together senior military leaders, government officials, industry partners, and members of the public to honour excellence in defence and security.
The 2025 Vimy Gala will take place on November 5, 2025, at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario—a fitting venue that reflects the gravity and legacy of the occasion.
The award is named in tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and unity of the Canadian soldiers—drawn from all four divisions of the Canadian Corps—who fought and triumphed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. That moment in history, often described as a defining chapter in Canada’s national identity, symbolizes the courage, leadership, and determination that the Vimy Award seeks to honour in its recipients today. Through this award, we not only commemorate the heroes of the past but also celebrate the modern-day Canadians who embody that same spirit of service, integrity, and national commitment.
Nomination Procedure
ELIGIBLE AWARD RECIPIENTS REQUIREMENTS
- Candidate must be a Canadian Citizen
- Laureate must be available to attend in person the Vimy Gala taking place November 5, 2025 at Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS
- Has made an impactful and significant contribution in the promotion of defence, peace and security during their professional career (whether in government, military, academia, NGOs, or the private sector).
- Is a role model for all Canadians through their transformational leadership.
- Is an inspiration for a lifetime of service to the nation.
- Has garnered national and/or international recognition for their accomplishments in the field of defence and security, in the pursuit of values including peace, human dignity and security, the respect for international law and norms, and the promotion and protection of democratic institutions.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Nominators are asked to inform their nominees of their intent to nominate them and confirm their willingness to accept the award should they be selected. The nominator should also validate with their nominee that there would be no real or perceived conflict of interest in accepting the award.
It is the responsibility of the nominator to validate that their nominees fulfil the eligibility criteria described above and for ensuring that the file is complete and accurate to allow the Vimy Award Selection Committee to fairly evaluate the nomination in fulfilment of the Award Criteria. Incomplete files will not be retained.
All submissions for the Vimy Award are considered in confidence by the Vimy Award Selection Committee, and nominations will not be publicly disclosed, with the exception of the nominator of the laureate, who will be invited to attend the Vimy Gala free of charge and will be thanked publicly during the event.
Nominations are to contain the following documentation;
- Completed online Submission Form
- Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae / biographical summary
- Letter of nomination
NOMINATION AND SUPPORT LETTERS (OPTIONAL)
Nomination and supporting letters should provide real examples and personal insight into the way the candidate is perceived by someone who has observed the candidate’s significant contributions to the advancement and support of Canada’s national security.
Submissions Deadline: August 15, 2025
Vimy Award Laureates (1991-2024)
1991 Joe Clark, Right Honourable | 1992 John de Chastelain, General |1993 Lewis MacKenzie, Major-General |1994 William Howard, Major-General | 1995 Roméo Dallaire, Major-Général |1996 Jack Granatstein, Doctor | 1997 Brian Dickson, Right Honourable | 1998 Larry Murray, Vice-Admiral | 1999 Charles H. Belzile, Lieutenant-général | 2000 Barnett Danson, Right Honourable | 2001 Leonard Birchall, Air Commodore | 2002 John Allen Fraser, Colonel, the Honourable | 2003 Paul David Manson, General | 2004 David Bercuson, Doctor | 2005 Gordon Hamilton Southam | 2006 David Fraser, Brigadier-General | 2007 Ray Henault, General | 2008 Rick Hillier, General | 2009 William Kenneth MacDonald, Warrant Officer | 2010 Adrienne Clarkson, Right Honourable | 2011 Jonathan Vance, Major-General | 2012 Federick Mannix, Honorary Colonel | 2013 Don Macnamara, Brigadier-General | 2014 Blake Goldring, Honorary Colonel | 2015 Hugh Segal, Senator | 2016 James Boutilier, Doctor | 2017 William Graham, Right Honourable | 2018 Christine Whitecross, Lieutenant-General | 2019 Richard Fadden, OC |2020 J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, Lieutenant-général | 2023 Ambassador Jacqueline O’Neill | 2024 General (ret’d) Walt Natynczyk
Join us at the Vimy Gala
Vimy Gala
November 5, 2025
Canadian Museum of War, Ottawa
Now in its 33rd year, the Vimy Gala stands as Canada’s premier and most exclusive event dedicated to honouring excellence in defence and security. Renowned for its distinguished legacy and national significance, the gala annually brings together an unparalleled gathering of Senators, Members of Parliament, foreign dignitaries, senior public servants, general and flag officers of the Canadian Armed Forces, and leaders from across the defence and security industry. United in purpose, they come to commemorate Canada’s fallen heroes and to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Canadians who have made a profound impact on our nation’s safety, sovereignty, and democratic values through the Vimy Award. The Vimy Gala is more than a ceremony—it is a moment of national reflection, unity, and recognition at the highest level.
Any questions on submitting a Vimy Award nomination or attending the Vimy Gala, please contact Jennifer Giguere at jennifer@cdainstitute.ca.
