Don has received 11 National Magazine Awards for his journalism, along with the Prix Jean-Charles Page (for medical journalism), two Western Magazine Awards and one National Newspaper Award. His two-volume companion to CBC Television's award-winning Canada: A People’s History won the prestigious Libris Award in 2001. His children’s books have received the Governor General’s Award, the Mr. Christie Award and the Torgi Award from the CNIB.
2019: Governor General’s Literary Award for Non Fiction for To the River: Losing my Brother
2018: Canadian Online Publishing Awards, nomination Battle of the Atlantic”
2018: Canadian Online Publishing Awards, nomination, “Battle of the Somme”
2017: Canadian Online Publishing Awards, Gold, “O Canada: Our Journey to 150.” Legion
2016: National Magazine Award, Silver, “A Poet Self-Destructs.” Walrus
2015: Phoenix Award, nomination The Fabulous Song
2013: National Magazine Award, Honorable Mention, Essays, “The Descent of Man.”
2013: National Magazine Award, Sport, Honorable Mention. “The Descent of Man.”
2013: National Newspaper Award, Long Feature, "Baby boomers and suicide: The surprising trend," Toronto Star
2012: Silver Birch Express Award, Finalist, The Time Time Stopped
2012: National Magazine Award, Profiles, Honorable Mention, “Munsch’s Monsters,” Toronto Life
2012: National Magazine Award, Personal Journalism, Honourable Mention, “All In,” Eighteen Bridges
2012: National Magazine Award, Gold, Arts and Entertainment, “All In,” Eighteen Bridges
2010: National Magazine Award, Honourable Mention, One of a Kind, “Bush Agonistes,” Report on Business
2010: National Magazine Award, Honourable Mention, Arts and Entertainment, “That Old Flame,” The Walrus
2009: National Magazine Award, Honourable Mention, Travel, “Paradise Found,” EnRoute Magazine
2009: National Magazine Award, Honourable Mention, Personal Journalism, “Shelter From the Storm,” The Walrus
2009: National Magazine Award, Honourable Mention, Essays, “The Events Leading up to Sir Norman Foster,” The Walrus
2008: National Magazine Award, Honourable mention, Short Feature, “Killer Tomatoes,” Toronto Life
2008: National Magazine Award, Gold, Politics and Public Affairs, “Once Upon a Country,” The Walrus
2008: National Magazine Award, Gold (shared) Editorial Package, “The Future of Food,” Report on Business
2007: Silver Willow Award, Nomination, Sophie and the Sea Monster
2007: National Magazine Award, Silver, Lifestyle, “Domestic Terroir”
2007: National Magazine Award, Nomination, Humour, “A Billion Little Pieces”
2007: National Magazine Award, Nomination, Business, “Domestic Terroir”
2007; Blue Spruce Award, Nomination, Sophie and the Sea Monster
2006: National Magazine Award, Silver, One of a Kind, “Terminal Velocity”
2006: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Travel, “America the Beautiful”
2006: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Politics and Public Interest, “Shifting Sands”
2006: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Essays, “America the Beautiful”
2006: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Business, “Shifting Sands”
2005: National Magazine Award, Honorable Mention, Social Affairs, “The Next SARS”
2004: National Magazine Award, Honourable mention, Society, “Surreal Estate.”
2004: National Magazine Award, Honourable mention, Arts and Entertainment: ‘Anatomy of a Best Seller’
2003: National Magazine Award, Honourable mention, Society, `Farm Fatale Toronto life
2003: National Magazine Award, Honourable mention, Arts and Entertainment, `The Big Picture`
2003: Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Calgary
2002: Nomination; Pearson Canada Reader's Choice Award, The Fabulous Song
2002: NationalMagazine Award, honourable mention, Politics and Public Issues "Eating Our Young," Toronto Life
2001: Torgi Award, honourable mention; Yuck, A Love Story
2001: Prix de l'incorruptible (France); nomination Beurk! une Histoire d'Amour (Yuck, ALove Story)
2001: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Editorial Package "Cops" Toronto Life
2001: Libris Award, Non-Fiction Book of the Year, Canada: A People's History
2000: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Sports and Recreation, "On the Rebound" Saturday Night
2000: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Social Affairs, "Semi-Detached" Toronto Life
2000: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Personal Journalism, "Semi-Detached" Toronto Life
2000: Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award, shortlist, special citation, The Desire of Every Living Thing
1999: National Magazine Award, silver, Social Affairs, "Killing Cousins" Toronto Life
1999: National Magazine Award, silver, Investigative Reporting, "Fire Alarm" Toronto Life
1999: National Magazine Award, honourable mention; Investigative Reporting, "Killing Cousins" Toronto Life
1999: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Fiction, "Gubermann" Toronto Life
1999: Governor General's Award, shortlist, children's literature, The Christmas Orange
1998: National Magazine Award; honourable mention, Arts and Entertainment; "Allthe Rage" Saturday Night
1997: Storytelling World Awards (United States); Honor title, The Fabulous Song
1997: National Magazine Award, gold, Public Affairs and Social Issues, "The Punishment Station" Toronto Life
1997: Mr. Christie Book Award; The Fabulous Song
1996: Torgi Award (from the CNIB) for children's literature, When Vegetables Go Bad!
1996: Governor General's Award; shortlist for children's literature for The Fabulous Song.
1995: nomination for Torgi Award given by the Canadian Institute for the Blind for children's literature; The Trouble With Justin
1995: National Magazine Award, honourable mention, Arts and Entertainment journalism; "Satisfaction" Saturday Night
1994: National Magazine Award for Travel Journalism, silver; "Shetland Shores" Destinations
1993: National Magazine Award; honourable mention, Profiles; "Don Cherry Unleashed" Saturday Night
1992: National Magazine Award, silver, for Business Journalism; "Dangerous Liasons" Saturday Night
1991: National Magazine Award, silver, for Environmental Journalism; "A Fine Kettle of Fish" Equinox
1991: Author's Award for Arts Journalism; "Concrete Errors" Saturday Night
1990: Author's Award for Arts Journalism; "The Reincarnation of Kathryn Dawn" Saturday Night
1990: Author's Award for Arts Journalism; "Back in the Saddle" Saturday Night Magazine
1989: Western Magazine Award; "The Cowboy Boot" West Magazine
1988: Prix Jean-Charles Page (medical journalism) "Psychiatric Hubris" Vie a Montreal
1987: nomination; Western Magazine Awards, Commentary; "America Writ Small" LastIssue