The Lord Strathcona Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Canadian cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training.

Lord Strathcona's objectives in establishing his endowment were to: This medal is not part of the Canadian Honours System and should only be worn on cadet uniforms.

[1] On the obverse, in relief, is the effigy of Lord Strathcona, below the motto Agmina Ducens ("Leading the ranks").

On the reverse, the inscription "Strathcona Trust – Cadets of Canada" along the edge and "Honneur au mérite" at the centre.

The criteria for the Lord Strathcona Medal are found in CATO 13-16.