Image courtesy: Office of the Governor General

In July 1998, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II approved the use of the Crown on the insignia of the soon to be established Vice-Regal and Commissioners' Commendation. In January 1999, the Commendation was formally created. The Commendation is a method for Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners' to recognize the important services provided to their offices in each province and territory. 

The very first recipient of the Commendation in all of Canada was a member of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia's Household, Mary McGrath, who received it in 1999.

Only Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners can submit nominations for the recognition. The recipient must have in the course of their duties as a paid or volunteer staff member including those in the military and police, have performed one or more commendable acts that have benefited the office of a Lieutenant Governor or Territorial Commissioner. The number of nominations permitted during a Lieutenant Governor's or Territorial Commissioners' mandate varies depending on the number of staff who serve in their Household.

The Commendation consists of a certificate along with a gold bar enamelled in blue with a circle containing three red maple leaves (as drawn from the Arms of Canada) surmounted by a Royal Crown. The lapel pin is a circular badge depicting three red maple leaves in the centre surmounted by the Royal Crown - in recognition of those who serve the Crown in Canada. 

Below is a list of the recipients who have received the Vice-Regal and Commissioners' Commendation from the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia: