38.5mm. 21.38g. Plain edge. Signed P.W. ELLIS. A somewhat scarce medal in this composition, Leroux-1832 also exists in bronze (rare). It was struck to commemorate the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Union Saint-Joseph d’Ottawa in May 1888. According to Marc Aubin of Lowertown Echo:

Founded in 1863, in the early days of Ottawa when the French-Canadian community was still establishing itself, the Union du Canada (first called l’Union Saint-Joseph) was a form of co-operative that responded to a very precarious problem. In a time wwhen there were very few social supports, an illness or sudden death in the family could completely destroy its source of income. If people did not work, they did not get paid and their families could suffer significantly. Life insurance companies provided help, but their rates were prohibitively expensive  for many working class people. This was the purpose of the Union du  Canada in its early days – to provide health and life insurance for its members.

The centres are prooflike and flashy. Evidence of a now-lost hanger occurs near 12 o’clock.