This medallion is worn on the left chest, on a 31.8 millimetres (1.25 in) wide, red and white ribbon.

The undress ribbon bore a single plain silver maple leaf in the centre.

For men, the Medal of Service was hung from a bar, and for women, on a ribbon bow, both pinned to the left chest.

All living holders of the Medal of Service were automatically converted into Officers of the Order of Canada and invited to exchange their Medal of Service insignia for that of Officer of the Order of Canada.

— McCreery, Christopher (2015), The Canadian Honours System 2nd Edition, Dundurn Press, ISBN 978-1-4597-2415-0