Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my rainbow riding of Mount Royal and of all Canadians, and also as someone who took part in the anti-apartheid movement for 20 years, I would like to wish a warm welcome to Nelson Mandela, a great citizen of the world, who became an honorary Canadian citizen during a historic ceremony this morning.
This honorary citizenship will have a historic and inspiring resonance for Canadians, for good relations between Canada and Africa, and for the reaffirmation of our common humanity.
Nelson Mandela is a metaphor and message of the long march toward freedom, of the struggle against racism and hate, and of the struggle for human rights, human dignity, democracy and peace.
Above all, as a person who endured 27 years in a South African prison and emerged to become president of South Africa and to preside over the dismantling of apartheid, he is a metaphor of hope for citizens everywhere, particularly the young people of our time.