Honorary degree citation - Chantal Hébert

By: Linda Kay, June 2014

Mr. Deputy Chancellor, it is my honour to present to you Chantal Hébert, renowned journalist and political commentator on Canadian and Quebec politics.

Chantal Hébert is a national affairs writer with the Toronto Star and a guest columnist for L’ Actualité. In addition to her columns, she is a weekly participant on the political panel “At Issue” on the CBC’s The National as well as Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir. Viewers tune in to hear her speak with authority and passion on public policy and Canadian politics. She brings a unique voice to her assessment of current events – that of a francophone with strong ties to English Canada.

Elle a commencé sa carrière en 1975 comme journaliste à la salle régionale des nouvelles de Radio-Canada, à Toronto, puis sur la colline parlementaire pour la radio nationale de Radio Canada. Mme Hébert a été chef du bureau parlementaire pour les quotidiens Le Devoir et La Presse. Son regard sur les affaires publiques et nationales fait autorité dans les médias tant anglophones que francophones.

Ms. Hébert is a graduate of Glendon College, York University, a Senior Fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto and holds honorary doctorates from Bishop’s University, York University and the University of Western Ontario.

Her remarkable work has earned her numerous awards including two Asia-Pacific media fellowships (Malaysia and Japan), the 2005 APEX Public Service Award, the 2006 Hy Solomon award for excellence in journalism and public policy, and York University’s Pinnacle Achievement Bryden Alumni award.

Elle est l’auteure d’un ouvrage intitulé French Kiss : Stephen Harper et le Québec, paru en 2007. Mme Hébert a été nommée officière de l’Ordre du Canada en 2012.

Mr. Deputy Chancellor, on behalf of Senate and the Board of Governors, it is my privilege and honour to present to you Chantal Hébert, so that you may confer upon her the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.