Ms. Yousafzai, who is from Pakistan, became a global symbol for girls’ rights after being shot in the head last year as part of a Taliban-led assassination attempt. She became a target after blogging about her struggles to attend school while living in a Taliban-controlled part of the country.

Though she now lives in England with her family, Ms. Yousafzai has expressed a desire to continue advocating for universal education in her home country. She is just the sixth person to receive honorary Canadian citizenship, joining a prestigious list that includes: Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, and the Aga Khan.