Similarly , though it was not listed in the Canadian order of precedence for honours , decorations , and medals until December 2010 , except relating to those who were appointed to the order prior to 1 June 1972 , Christopher McCreery , an expert on Canadian honours and secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia , stated that the Order of Merit was the highest civilian award for merit a Canadian could receive .
Similarly , though it was not listed in the Canadian order of precedence for honours , decorations , and medals until December 2010 , except relating to those who were appointed to the order prior to 1 June 1972 , both Christopher McCreery , an expert on Canadian honours and secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia , and Rafal Heydel-Mankoo , an editor of `` Burke 's Peerage '' , stated that the Order of Merit was the highest civilian award for merit a Canadian could receive .