Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: May 6, 2010
• Invested on: May 27, 2011

Hélène Dorion is a leading figure in contemporary Francophone literature. First and foremost a poet, but equally an essayist and novelist, she has created an impressive body of work in which she questions the very essence and unchanging nature of human beings. Translated and published in 15 countries, her works, including Ravir : les lieux and Le hublot des heures, have garnered several literary awards and honours. She is notably the first Canadian recipient of the prestigious French Prix Mallarmé. She is also known for her accomplishments as director of Éditions du Noroît, where she gave precedence to featuring new poets and helped to extend the publishing house's activities beyond our borders. Frequently invited to take part in public readings and conferences abroad, she adds to the renown of Canadian literature on the international scene.