Length: 35.6cm x Width: 26.0cm
A certificate on a cream coloured piece of paper. On the central top of the certificate is the coat of arms, consisting of a red shield with 2 bands. The mottoes on the bands are "Pro Fide" and "Pro Utilitate Hominum". The calligraphic script in black and red ink reads "The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, The Priory of Canada// Resolved that the special thanks of His Excellency the Prior and the Priory-Chapter be hereby conveyed to Department of Parks & Recreation of Kingston for valuable assistance rendered in the furtherance of the work of the Order in connection with the Priory of Canada". This certificate is dated at Ottawa, Ontario on February 4, 1991. It has hand-written signatures of Prior R.J. Hnatyshyn and Chancellor D.W. Rae on the bottom right corner. The bottom left of the certificate is affixed with a red seal of the Order.
The original Order of St. John of Jerusalem was established after the First Crusade to maintain an hospital in Jerusalem to care for the sick and wounded crusaders. A Grand Priory of the Order was established in London (UK) in 1831 and was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria in 1888, since then, the Monarch is the Sovereign Head and Patron of the Order.The Order's activities in Canada begun in 1883 with the First Aid course taking place in Québec City. In 1895, the Grand Priory authorized the establishment of a branch of the St. John Ambulance Association in Canada, this branch was given the status of a Priory in 1946. The Order is now considered a Canadian Order and is part of the Canadian Honours system. Her Majesty The Queen is the Sovereign Head of the Order (from web site for Veterans Affairs Canada)
