hayes was a fellow of the royal society of arts. he was awarded the queen elizabeth ii coronation medal in 1953 and the canadian centennial medal in 1967. in 1973, he was made an officer of the order of canada "for his dedicated work in the betterment of human relations". he received honorary degrees from sir george williams university, which later became concordia university, in 1970 and from mcgill university in 1974.