Toronto, July 10 : Tibetans from Toronto met Member of Parliament David Sweet, from Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale riding at his constituency office on July 6th, 2006. The 
delegation of Tibetans who represented Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario, Canada Tibet Committee and Canada Tibetan Association of Ontario on behalf of all the Tibetans in and outside Canada visited Mr.David to thank him for introducing a successful motion in the House of Commons to award His Holiness the Dalai Lama with an Honorary Canadian citizenship. The motion was passed unanimously on June 22, 2006 in the House of Commons and later the Senate also joined to pass a similar motion.
The Tibetan members offered Mr. David a traditional scarf and book by His Holiness “Compassion in Exile” as a token of appreciation and gratitude. The delegation also apprised and requested Mr. David to support Tibetan cause by raising the issue in the House of Commons so that Canadian government can facilitate dialogue between Beijing and Tibetan government in-exile. He was also requested to intervene and support the cause of Tibetan refugees and asylum seekers from Tibet in Nepal who face detention and deportation by the Nepalese immigration.
Mr. David was very pleased and happy to meet the Tibetans and assured his continued support in the future and said “I am very pleased to have you in my office and appreciate your expression. I always believe in freedom of religious tolerance and Canada being a multicultural society, consists of people from different faith, culture and countries”. He further stated “I believe I am a very small person compared to His Holiness, who is a world renowned figure and champion of peace and non-violence. I respect Him very much and hope for justice to Tibet”.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be conferred with the honor during his visit to Canada in September. The Honorary citizenship is a special and highest honor conferred to renowned individuals who champion for world peace and non-violence. The previous recipients were Raoul Wallenberg and Nelson Mandela from South Africa and His Holiness will be the third dignitary to receive the honorary citizenship.
The executive members from Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario also met Ms. Peggy Nash, MP from Parkdale-HighPark and Vice Chair of Friends of Tibetan Parliamentary Support Group. The members thanked her for her support and efforts in bringing the motion in the House.
Below is the motion that was put forward by Mr. David Sweet in the Canadian Parliament:
“That whereas Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, has been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize as one of the world’s leading champions of peace and non-violence; and
Whereas His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit Canada from September 9th to the 11th; and
Whereas this House has previously acknowledged historic visits to Canada by other leading champions of human dignity, such as Raoul Wallenberg and Nelson Mandela, by adopting motions granting them ‘Honourary Canadian Citizenship’;
Therefore, this House resolves to bestow the title ‘Honourary Canadian Citizen’ on His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet.”
