Officer of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: May 6, 1998
- Invested on: April 14, 1999
She is ranked among the best English writers today. Her prize-winning novels are enjoyed by people around the world and, as evidence of their popularity, have been translated into twenty-four languages. Known for her impressive historical range, impeccable detail and elegant prose, she has the power to enthral readers with her stories, immersing them in the lives and times of the characters. Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, a professor at the University of Manitoba and board member of the Writers' Development Trust, she is a mentor to aspiring writers, encouraging them to persevere and to fulfill their dreams through the wonder of the written word.