HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 The Provincial Symbols and Honours Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 380, is amended by adding the following Part:

Part 3 – British Columbia Military Service Pin

British Columbia Military Service Pin

21  (1) The British Columbia Military Service Pin is established as an official honour of the Crown in right of British Columbia.

(2) The object of the British Columbia Military Service Pin is to recognize individuals who have provided exemplary service in military service in British  Columbia.

(3) The lapel pin is intended to be worn on civilian clothing, so that the public might recognize those who serve when they are not in uniform.

Criteria

22  To qualify for the British Columbia Military Service Pin, the recipient must

(a) be a Canadian citizen who has served in the military and was based in British Columbia, or

(b) be a Canadian citizen who is currently serving in the military and is based in British Columbia, or

(c) be a British Columbia resident who has served in the military outside of British Columbia.

Honour

23  The honour shall be awarded at an annual ceremony where recipients of the British Columbia Military Service Pin shall receive a certificate signed by the Lieutenant Governor and a lapel pin.

British Columbia Military Service Pin regulations

24  The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations governing the use and display of the British Columbia Military Service Pin.

Explanatory Note

This Bill officially recognizes the people who have served or are serving in the military. An individual qualifies for the honour by either being a Canadian citizen and being based in British Columbia, or being a British Columbian resident and based abroad. The honour is presented in the form of a lapel pin and a letter signed by the Lieutenant Governor.