Member of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: May 13, 2004
- Invested on: March 11, 2005
He is called the "father of film studies in Canada". At Queen's University, Peter Harcourt headed the first department in the country devoted to this field. He is revered as an educator and mentor at Queen's, as well as at other universities where he has taught. Highly knowledgeable about filmmaking throughout the world, he is particularly known for instilling a sense of excitement about Canadian cinema. Equally enthusiastic about English and French productions, he is a consistent and passionate proponent of Canadian films. He is a founding member of the Film Studies Association of Canada and has also helped to steer the Canadian Film Institute.