Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: December 20, 1982
• Invested on: April 20, 1983

From his beginnings in Nova Scotia to his academic posts -- Professor of Chemistry and, from 1972 to 1980, president of McMaster - Professor Bourns has conducted significant research in his own field of physical organic chemistry, offered with leadership to his university and the scientific community in Canada, which led to the development of a national policy in support of basic and applied research.