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OTTAWA – The House of Commons has unanimously supported bestowing honorary Canadian citizenship upon Pakistani teenager and co-winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai.
The honour comes on the eve of Yousafzai’s visit to Canada where she’ll participate in an event on women’s rights in Toronto.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says she’s being made an honorary Canadian in recognition of her bravery in her fight for the rights of women and girls to go to school.
Yousafzai was the target of Taliban assassins after she became an outspoken advocate for her right to attend class and she’s since gone on to become an international spokesperson on the issue.
The Conservatives announced their intention to make her Canada’s sixth honorary citizen in last year’s throne speech.
While there’s no official procedure involved in granting the title, precedent has been for the House of Commons and Senate to approve a motion.
