- 1972: Governor General's Award for poetry (for Civil Elegies and Other Poems)
- 1974: CACL Bronze Medal for best children's book in English
Toronto IODE Award (both for Alligator Pie)
- 1977: CACL Bronze Medal
Ruth Schwartz Foundation Award (both for Garbage Delight)
- 1984: Phillips Prize, given by the Harbourfront Reading Series
- 1985: Vicky Metcalf Award, for a body of work for children
- 1991: Mr. Christie's Book Award, for text of a children's book in English (for The Ice Cream Store)
- 1994: Officer, Order of Canada
- 1995: Honorary doctorate, Trent University
Toronto Arts Award for lifetime achievement
Dennis Lee's works copyright © to the author.