Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Chatham—Kent Essex for this question.
Nelson Mandela's fight to end apartheid had a tremendous impact on me when I was growing up in Tanzania, when apartheid dominated southern Africa.
Canadians were touched deeply by his life and his active pursuit of equality, justice, and freedom for all people. Nelson Mandela was also a passionate crusader against AIDS. He received the Nobel Peace Prize, became an honorary Canadian citizen, and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Canada joins South Africa and the world in mourning and celebrating a unique and special leader. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.