An honorary degree is the highest honor the University can bestow. The acceptance of an honorary degree brings honor to both the recipient and the University. Typically, one honorary doctorate is conferred at each Convocation ceremony. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made unique and significant contributions.

Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in research, scholarly and artistic works, public service, professional or philanthropic activities, or athletic excellence. The Honorary Degrees Committee considers the following factors when selecting candidates:

1. The level of excellence and eminence demonstrated by the candidate in scholarship, scientific inquiry, or artistic endeavors, with recognition on a national or international scale.
2. The extraordinary nature of the candidate’s public service to humankind.
3. The candidate’s significant creative, material, or financial contributions that have greatly benefited the University.
4. The candidate’s athletic prowess and achievements.
5. The candidate’s potential to inspire graduating students at Convocation.
6. The committee aims to achieve a balance across academic disciplines, professional contributions, and diversity of gender and cultural backgrounds.
7. The committee may also consider individuals who have been overlooked due to social prejudice or ignorance.

The following individuals are generally not eligible for consideration for an honorary degree:

1. Current members of the Board or Senate.
2. Current or recent members of the faculty or staff of the University and current students.
3. Current holders of elected office at any level (municipal, provincial, federal, or members of the Senate).

1. Elected officials may be considered only if they do not exert political influence over the University or its electorate.
2. Former holders of elected office or former federal Senators are eligible for consideration.
3. Religious leaders may be considered only if their contributions extend beyond their religious leadership.

1. Any member of the University community or the public may submit a nomination, signed by at least three nominators. Nominators must declare their knowledge of the nominee’s achievements and should not be members of the nominee’s family.
2. Nominations should be addressed to the Senate Honorary Degrees Committee.
3. If a committee member has a personal or close business connection with a nominee, they must disclose it to the committee. Such individuals may choose to recuse themselves from discussion or voting based on the nature of the conflict.
4. Nominations from committee members are allowed, but they must declare a conflict of interest and refrain from voting on the matter.

The Honorary Degrees Committee will only consider complete nominations. The committee may:

1. Recommend the nominee for Senate approval for one of the honorary degrees listed in the bylaws.
2. Request additional information from nominators or others for future consideration.
3. Reject the nomination.
4. The Senate will receive and vote on each nomination separately at its next meeting. In special cases, such as a special Convocation, the Honorary Degrees Committee may submit its recommendation to the Executive Committee, which is empowered to approve candidates for honorary degrees in exceptional circumstances.

Nominators should not inform nominees that they are being considered for an honorary degree. The University will not release individual nomination outcomes until a public announcement is made regarding the honorary degree recipients for a particular convocation.

Honorary degree recipients are invited to give the Convocation address, though they may decline the invitation. Honorary degrees are not awarded posthumously, except if the award has been accepted and arrangements have been made before the nominee’s death. The citation for the honorary degree should not exceed three minutes in length.

The Senate has the authority to revoke an honorary degree and all associated privileges. Revocation is subject to a vote by the Senate, based on a recommendation from the Honorary Degrees Committee.