Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 5, 2006
• Invested on: October 26, 2007

In the early 1970s, while juggling the demands of a young family, Frances Itani enrolled in evening courses at the University of Alberta, where she began to explore and develop her creative writing abilities. After earning her master's degree, she held several teaching and writer-in-residence positions, travelling extensively in Canada and abroad. Her emergence as a literary force was confirmed with Leaning, Leaning Over Water, a resounding commercial success. Her most popular work to date, Deafening, garnered numerous and prestigious international accolades. A generous mentor to aspiring writers, she is also a quiet benefactor to the Ottawa Youth Orchestra and a dedicated volunteer with the Ottawa Deaf Centre and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.