The 45-year-old, winner of 14 Paralympic golds from Barcelona 1992 until Beijing 2008, received the accolade at a ceremony for students graduating from the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, School of Graduate Studies and Faculty of Information.

During the ceremony, she spoke about a remarkable career which began after she lost the use of her legs at the age of 13 following an accident.

Since retiring from competition, she served as coach and mentor of the British Para-athletics team at London 2012, before serving as Canada's Chef de Mission at Glasgow 2014.

She was subsequently appointed to a similar role at next year's Paralympics in Brazil.

In addition, she is also a highly sought-after speaker across Canada and overseas, active in various Paralympic athletics and sports organisations and as an ambassador for the international Right to Play organisation.

One of Canadians biggest sporting stars, Petitclerc has also received numerous other accolades, including the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year in 2008 and induction as a companion of the Order of Canada.

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September 2014: Five-time Paralympian Petitclerc revealed as Canada's Rio 2016 Chef de Mission