Officer of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 1998-10-21
Invested on: 1999-04-14
An eminent poet, novelist, diplomat, scholar and teacher, he excelled in each of these capacities. One of the few Canadian writers to receive the Governor General's Literary Awards in both the poetry and fiction categories, his writing has influenced Canadian poets and novelists. He held various appointments at the Department of External Affairs and was a spokesperson for Canada at international meetings regarding social and economic policy. As a long-time professor at the University of Toronto, he inspired numerous students. A great Canadian who helped define our identity, he made significant contributions to literature, public policy and academic life.