He was awarded O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on April 20, 1990 and invested on: October 24, 1990 by the Canadian Governor General in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. A celebrated animator, he is renowned for his animated films which reflect a genuine commitment to protecting the environment. The creator of many films, including "The Man Who Planted Trees", he has gained national and international respect for his artistic Endeavours which deal with themes of heritage, education, music, science and ecology.