Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 17, 1997
• Invested on: October 22, 1997

He has been at the forefront of world-wide efforts to reduce the environmental impact of natural disasters while ensuring that measures are in place for the sustainable development of resources. As the first Chair of the UN Scientific and Technical Committee for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, he demonstrated his talent as an outstanding ambassador for Canadian policy abroad. In addition, his work with the World Meteorological Organization has led other international organizations in the fields of meteorology and hydrology to seek his expertise.