Honorary Canadian citizenship

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Honorary Canadian citizenship (French: Citoyenneté canadienne honoraire) is an honour wherein Canadian citizenship is bestowed by the Governor General of Canada, with the approval of parliament, 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.