Honorary Canadian Citizenship

Honorary Canadian citizenship (French: Citoyenneté canadienne honoraire) is an honour wherein Canadian citizenship is bestowed by the Governor-General-in-Council, with the approval of parliament where appropriate, on foreigners of exceptional merit. It is a symbolic honour; the recipient does not take the Oath of Citizenship, and thus does not receive any rights, privileges or duties typically held by a Canadian citizen.

To date, the following people have had this honour bestowed upon them:

  1. Raoul Wallenberg, Swedish diplomat and Holocaust hero; awarded posthumously in 1985.
  2. Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist, former President of South Africa and recipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize; awarded in 2001.
  3. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize; awarded in 2006.
  4. Aung San Suu Kyi, prime minister-elect of Burma and recipient of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize; awarded in 2007.
  5. His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims; awarded in 2011.

Famous quotes containing the words canadian and/or citizenship:

    “We’re definite in Nova Scotia—’bout things like ships ... and fish, the best in the world.”
    —John Rhodes Sturdy, Canadian screenwriter. Richard Rossen. Joyce Cartwright (Ella Raines)

    “Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter we are known at home, by the former to the world. Our great title is AMERICANS—our inferior one varies with the place.”
    —Thomas Paine (1737–1809)