He later became director of the Geological Survey of New Zealand. 1939–1941: Senator W. A. Buchanan, former Member of Parliament and publisher of the Lethbridge Herald. 1939–1954: Gen. A.G.L. Andrew McNaughton, Chief of the General Staff for Canada, commanding officer of the First Canadian Infantry Division, First Canadian Corps, First Canadian Army, Minister of National Defense, and Ambassador to the United Nations. 1968–Dr. John Tuzo Wilson, geophysicist and geologist who achieved worldwide acclaim for his contributions to the theory of plate tectonics. 1988-2000: Ernest Côté, soldier, diplomat, and senior civil servant. Awards Gold Medal Recognizing a particular achievement by one or more individuals in the general field of geography or a significant national or international event. It was first awarded in 1972. Source: RCGS 2019: Adrienne Clarkson and Dr. Jane Goodall 2018: Trans Canada Trail, Perry Bellegarde, Clément Chartier, Natan Obed, Ry Moran and Roberta Jamieson 2017: Sir David Attenborough, Gordon Lightfoot (singer/songwriter) and John Turner (Prime Minister) 2016: Marc R. St-Onge, Paul F. Hoffman, Denis St-Onge and the Geological Survey of Canada 2015: Jacob Verhoef, Graeme Gibson and Margaret Atwood 2014: Canada's Astronauts, including Roberta Bondar, David Saint-Jacques, Marc Garneau, Steve MacLean, Dafydd Rhys "Dave" Williams, Robert Thirsk, Jeremy Hansen, Bjarni Tryggvason and the Canadian Space Agency 2013: Michael Palin, Robert Bateman, and Yvan Desy and Sylvain Lemay of Natural Resources Canada 2012: Dr. Philip Currie 2011: Sir Christopher Ondaatje and Dr. Jerry Linenger 2010: Alex Trebek and Canadian International Polar Year National Committee 2009: Dr. Wade Davis 2007: The Nature of Québec/Le Québec au naturel 2006: The Atlas of Canada 2004: Jean Lemire and Edryd Shaw 2003: Roger F. Tomlinson 2002: Gordon Slade 2001: Norman Hallendy 2000: Bernard Voyer 1998: Mary Simon 1997: Peter Gzowski 1996: Gilbert M. Grosvenor 1995: Harold K. Eidsvik, Dr. Lawrence W. Morley and Dr. Victor K. Prest 1994: The Historical Atlas of Canada, volumes II and III 1988: The Historical Atlas of Canada, Volume I, William G. Dean, Richard Colebrook Harris, and Geoffrey J. Matthews 1986: Dr. Derek C. Ford 1980: Selma Barkham 1978: Dr. J. Tuzo Wilson 1976: National Atlas of Canada 1973: Maj. Gen. William J. Megill 1972: Dr. Stanislaw Lesczychki Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration The Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration, named after Gold Medal and Camsell Medal recipient Sir Christopher Ondaatje, was established in 2013. Source: RCGS 2019: Charles “Chas” Yonge 2018: Chic Scott 2017: Pat and