His Highness the Aga Khan receives Key to the City of Toronto

Toronto, Canada, 25 September 2022 – His Worship Mayor John Tory today bestowed the Key to the City to His Highness the Aga Khan for his long contributions to the city and its residents. The ceremony also celebrated the naming of Wynford Drive to Aga Khan Boulevard on signs adjacent to the Aga Khan Museum, the Aga Khan Park and the Ismaili Centre.

In keeping with the mandate of his role as Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Aga Khan has worked to improve the quality of life of all people regardless of their birthplace, background or religious belief. The Aga Khan has brought together residents and visitors from around the world to the Aga Khan Museum, the Aga Khan Park and the Ismaili Centre to learn and celebrate since their opening in 2014.

“We have looked to Canada as a model of pluralism for the world,” said Prince Amyn Aga Khan, who delivered remarks and received the honours on behalf of his brother, His Highness the Aga Khan. “The community’s presence here would not have been possible were it not for Toronto and Canada’s profound commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity.”

Mayor Tory paid tribute to His Highness, saying, “The fundamental set of values that have stood at the foundation of his own life and his own work happen to match up quite precisely with the values that I think guide this city on a day-to-day basis.”

The honours in Toronto are one of a number of events this week marking 50 years of the presence of the Ismaili Muslim community in Canada. Additional events are planned across the country to commemorate important partnerships to improve the quality of life, both here in Canada and around the world:

• 25 September 2022: Global Ismaili Civic Day fosters local civic engagement in communities across Canada, with a focus on environmental stewardship, including park clean-ups, tree planting, recycling drives and more.
• 27 September 2022: In Toronto, Prince Amyn Aga Khan will attend the ground-breaking of Generations, a charitable community-based housing initiative to support vulnerable individuals, families, and seniors within an intergenerational framework.
• 28 September 2022: In Edmonton, the University of Alberta will inaugurate the Diwan Pavilion at the Aga Khan Garden, Alberta.
• 29 September 2022: The Ismaili Imamat will sign an Accord of Cooperation with the Province of British Columbia, committing to advance joint efforts for development work in B.C. and around the world.