His Highness the Aga Khan, 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community and Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), began his first official visit to Canada on 25 March, marking a milestone in a relationship between the Imamat and Canada that spans more than five decades. In Ottawa, His Highness met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and was hosted at dinner by Governor General Mary Simon and His Excellency Whit Fraser. He later met with a diverse group of Senators and Members of Parliament at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat. Building on this historic relationship, Prime Minister Carney and His Highness released a joint declaration outlining new partnerships in housing, economic development and other areas of mutual interest, setting the stage for renewed collaboration.