Gold Medal

The Gold Medal of the Society was first bestowed in 1972 to honour the International Geographical Union (IGU) for choosing Canada as the venue of its 22nd International Congress, and to recognize the achievements of the IGU President.

That award clearly illustrates the purpose for which the Gold Medal was created: to provide an opportunity for the Society to recognize:

  • a particular achievement by one or more individuals in the general field of geography; or
  • a significant national or international event.

In the case of the second, the Medal is awarded to an appropriate individual or group of individuals representative of the occasion. Normally, the special achievements or events for which the medal is awarded are well known. No regular interval (annual, biannual, etc.) is established for the awarding of the Gold Medal. It is presented whenever the Society’s Board of Governors decides its bestowal is appropriate to recognize a particular achievement or event.

The time, place and program of the ceremony to present the Gold Medal is decided by the Board of Governors after careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding the event or achievement for which the Medal is being awarded.

See past award winners.

Looking to nominate someone?

How to nominate

Please look outside your organization, as well as within, when considering who might be an outstanding nominee. In considering suitable nominees, you are encouraged to be inclusive, in respect to gender and the diversity of Canadians. You may submit one or more nominations for the medal using the form at the bottom of this page.

Nominations are accepted annually until March 15. 

The Committee will retain nominations under consideration for a period of three years.

Gold Medal Nomination

Only nominations submitted by the nomination deadline (March 15th annually) will be considered. Nominations submitted after the deadline will be considered in the following year. Submissions must be filled out in their entirety and cannot be accessed again.

NOTE: This form does not have an automatic save function. Please ensure that you save your work elsewhere to ensure it is not lost in completing this process.

Nominator Name*
Address*
Is the Nominator an RCGS Fellow?*

Brief description of nominator including relationship to nominee

Nominee Name*
Address*

Description of the Particular Achievement or Event

No file chosen

Please upload a two-page (maximum) nomination letter that: • specifically describes the accomplishment or event in relation to the award criteria This letter is very important in the assessment of the nomination • justifies why the individual or group is worthy of the Gold Medal

No file chosen

Please upload an abridged version of the nominee's curriculum vitae and a report of the accomplishment or event may be appropriate. A strictly enforced total maximum of ten (10) pages is available for both the CV and list of publications. These should be saved as a single attachment

Drop files here or

Up to four additional one-page letters of support for particular aspects of the nominee's achievements may be uploaded.

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