Elizabeth Hay will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Friday, June 8, “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to Canadian literature, broadcasting, teaching, and the cultural heritage of the Nation’s Capital.”
Elizabeth Hay is a Canadian novelist and short story writer. She has won the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Marian Engel Award, a Libris Award, and a Torgi Award. She has twice won the Ottawa Book Award and twice been nominated for the Governor General’s Award. Her eight books include – Alone in the Classroom, Late Nights on Air, A Student of Weather, Garbo Laughs and Small Change.
Born in Owen Sound, Ont. and a graduate of the University of Toronto, she is a former radio broadcaster and journalist who has travelled widely in Canada and Latin America. Ottawa has been her home since 1992.