Mary Walsh and Sheila Fraser to receive honorary degrees at McGill

One of Canada's best-known comedians and the Auditor General of Canada to receive honours during Fall Convocation ceremonies

McGill University will recognize two exceptional individuals with honorary degrees at Fall Convocation. Mary Walsh, one of Canada’s best-known actresses and comedians and Sheila Fraser, the Auditor General of Canada, will each receive an honorary degree. The duo will share the stage along with 1729 graduating students during Convocation ceremonies on Friday, November 14, in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts in Montreal.

Mary Walsh
Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
Friday, November 14, 10 a.m.
Actress and comedian Mary Walsh has garnered many awards over the course of her career including several Geminis for her political satires and spoofs about current affairs. Best known to Canadians since she founded the award-winning CODCO troupe of Newfoundland, she has brought many hilarious characters to audiences on the CBC. When CODCO broke up, Walsh created a new show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes. A satirical take on current affairs, it was a big hit. Since its 1992 debut, the show has not been off the air, winning numerous Gemini and Canadian Comedy awards. Despite her busy film and television schedule, Walsh continues to support charitable organizations all across Canada such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Oxfam, Pride Toronto, and many more causes dedicated to social justice. She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2000.

Sheila Fraser
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
Friday, November 14, 2:30 p.m.
As Auditor General of Canada since May 2001, Sheila Fraser has been serving the needs of parliamentarians and ensuring they have objective and reliable information with which to scrutinize government activities and hold the government to account for its stewardship of public funds. A McGill graduate, Fraser earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1972, and began her career as a Chartered Accountant in 1974. For her noteworthy service to the auditing and accounting professions, Fraser was awarded the Prix Émérite 1993 and the designation "Fellow" by the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec in 1994 and by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 2000. She received the Governor General's medal commemorating Canada's 125th anniversary in 1992. In 2006, she was recognized with the Faculty of Management Achievement Award from McGill.