Jontadain Orders of Merit
The Jontadain Orders of Merit were created in order to recognize significant deeds performed by citizens of Jonquiere-Tadoussac and other countries. These awards are bestowed by the High Council after the recipient is chosen by the appropriate nominating committee for the honour.
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Levels of Awards
There are four levels at which each award can be bestowed. The level of award is designated by the design of the seal in the centre of the medallion awarded to each recipient The levels (with their respective seals) are:
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Honourable: The standard level for each award. This is the most common level given, and is often a starting point for those who will receive higher awards in their lifetimes.
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Distinguished: Recognizes an above average level of excellence. Whereas an "Honourable" may be given out for deeds affecting another country, a "Distinguished" award may only be bestowed upon those who have directly benefitted Jonquiere-Tadoussac.
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First Class: Given to the rare person whose efforts have made a tangible difference in many Jontadains lives. This is the highest level of order that can be awarded to non-citizens (except for on the Order of Unity).
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Exemplary: For accomplishments which bring unparalleled benefits to Jonquiere-Tadoussac. These are rarely awarded, on average fewer than ten are bestowed in a given decade.
Orders of Merit
(Notes: In each diagram, the Distinguished level is shown; the central seal changes for each level. When an award is bestowed upon a citizen of a foreign country, a small seal with their national flag/symbol is added at the bottom of the award.)
Order of Jonquiere-Tadoussac
The Order of Jonquiere-Tadoussac is bestowed upon those who have made significant contributions to the culture and way of life of Jonquiere-Tadoussac. This normally includes artists, writers and designers, but may also include architects, scientists and engineers. It recognizes a significant impact upon the people of Jonquiere-Tadoussac and their definition of themselves, their neighbours and their country.
The Order of Jonquiere-Tadoussac is accompanied by a cash award to the recipient. The amount is 1.000JTS for "Honourable", 2.500JTS for "Distinguished", 10.000JTS for "First Class", and 25.000JTS for "Exemplary". This money is nominally provided to the recipient for them to continue their work in their field of excellence.
Jontadain Democratic Order
The Jontadain Democratic Order is bestowed upon all current and former members of federal and provincial governments in Jonquiere-Tadoussac. The level of order bestowed is dependent on the office held by the recipients. All persons elected as consuls to any provincial or federal assembly receive "Honorable" level. Any consul who is then elected as the chair of a committee, becomes a minister or is the head of a sitting party (at least 20 seats) is granted the "Distinguished" level. All Provincial Consuls are accorded the "First Class" level (or "Excellent" in the case of the Democratic Order), while the High Consul receives the "Exemplary" level. All heads of state in the International Democratic Union are also granted the Democratic Order (First Class), so long as there is no current debate over the democratic nature of the country in the Democratic Order Committee.
These titles have been applied retroactively to former members of government. Thus, all former monarchs have received the Democratic Order (Exemplary), members of the old national assembly have received "Honourable" or "Distinguished" awards, etc.
Recipients of this award are allowed to use the level of their award as a title. Thus, all consuls are addressed as "The Honourable", Provincial Consuls are "The Excellent", and High Consuls are "The Exemplary". Unlike most Orders of Merit, the Jontadain Democratic Order does not include a cash award.
Seal of Valour / Medal of Valour
The Seal of Valour and Medal of Valour are awarded for acts of conspicuous bravery and gallantry during times of war or civil unrest. They are awarded in wars both on Jontadain soil and abroad, though they are only bestowed for actions that directly impact the war effort. The Seal of Valour is bestowed upon civilians, and is seen as a mark of character. The Medal of Valour is bestowed upon military and civil security personnel (police, fire, etc.), and is the highest honour that can be awarded.
When named, the level of award is placed before "Valour", i.e. the Seal of Distinguished Valour, the Medal of Exemplary Valour.
The Seal of Valour is accompanied by a cash award, 5.000JTS for "Distinguished", 10.000JTS for "First Class", and 50.000JTS for "Exemplary". The Medal of Valour is accompanied by a promotion of one grade in the case of the military (two for "Exemplary"), and a raise in salary for all others. Unlike for other awards, the "Honoured" level is only awarded to non-citizens, and this is the only level they can receive. "Exemplary" is only awarded posthumously.
Order of Unity
The Order of Unity recognizes a conspicuous deed on the part of a person or government to safeguard peace or unity in Jonquiere-Tadoussac. This includes efforts to prevent war, encourage unity of the provinces, or improve the situations of minorities in the country. It is generally recognized as the highest honour a government can bestow upon one of its citizens. Because of this importance, it is also one of the least often awarded of the Orders of Merit.
The Order of Unity is an exception among the Orders of Merit, in that any of its levels may be bestowed upon a non-citizen. This is to recognize that the strongest efforts to defuse situations and prevent conflict can come from abroad, with neutral mediators.
The Order of Unity is accompanied by a cash award to the recipient. The amount is 10.000JTS for "Honoured", 25.000JTS for "Distinguished", 60.000JTS for "First Class" and 250.000 for "Exemplary". Only two Orders of Unity (Exemplary) have yet been awarded: one retroactively on the parties to the Fusion Accords, and the other on the Provisional Government during the Jontadain Civil War.
