Thank you all for gathering here to mark this
historic occasion. Today we proudly bestow
honorary Canadian citizenship on Malala Yousafzai,
a young woman from Pakistan who has done tremendous
things for the people of her country and for
the children of the world.
As you know, Malala was supposed to join us
in October 2014, but her trip was delayed
following the terrible shooting at the National
War Memorial here on Parliament Hill. So it
is a tremendous privilege for us to finally
welcome her for this ceremony and to proudly
bestow honorary Canadian citizenship on her.
Malala is only the sixth person to receive
this distinction, and she joins some of the
world’s most influential and respected heroes.
Malala, your story is an inspiration to us
all. The violence you survived at the hands
of the Taliban didn’t deter you as it would
have for so many others. Rather, you stood
even stronger in the face of oppression. Your
passion for justice only intensified. When
you addressed the UN in 2013, you said:
“We realize the importance of light when
we see darkness. We realize the importance
of our voice when we are silenced.”
Malala Yousafzai, for bravely lending your
voice to so many, we thank you. And from this
day forward, we are all proud to call you
Canadian.
(Applause)
