The mayor of Hope is the latest Canadian to be recognized with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Victor Smith was presented with the medal during a council meeting, without knowing that the medal was coming. It became more clear when Jackie Tegart, Fraser-Nicola MLA, stepped up to the podium to speak about why he was chosen for the award.
Many of Smith's friends were in the boardroom to see him receive the award. And, because Smith is an active volunteer in the community, many of those friends are also volunteers.
"I'm humbled and honoured to be recognized individually," he said after the meeting. "But I cannot emphasize enough that I could not have achieved this without the volunteers committed in our community who are making a difference.
"Thank you for supporting me in the journey to making a difference."
The medal was created to mark the coronation of King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023. It is the first Canadian commemorative medal to mark a coronation. It was launched by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and recognizes those who have made significant contributions to Canada and their home province.
Medal recipients must have made a "significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada," according to the criteria.
Smith is one of 30,000 who are being awarded the medal. People could be nominated by some of the dozens of partner organizations, including provincial governments, RCMP, and the Canadian Armed Forces. Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl is still accepting nominations for those who feel they know someone who is deserving of this recognition.
The medal was approved by the King and manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. It is attached to a ribbon featuring dark blue, bright red and white stripes, identical to the United Kingdom’s Coronation Medal ribbon.
