On June 30, 2016, O'Connor was made an Officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General David Johnston for "his service to the legal profession and for his commitment to justice as a commissioner of the Walkerton and Arar inquiries."
In June 2016, O'Connor received the rank of Officer of the Order of Canada from Governor General David Johnston in recognition of his contributions to law and his commitment to justice through his work on the Walkerton and Arar inquiries.