Former Canadian ambassador to Morocco receives royal honor

Nell Stewart, former Canadian Ambassador to Morocco, was bestowed the Alawite Wissam's Grand Cordon in Ottawa on Thursday. This prestigious award, bestowed by King Mohammed VI, recognizes her contributions to fostering closer ties between the two countries.

The ceremony, held at the Moroccan Embassy in Ottawa, saw Souriya Otmani, Morocco's Ambassador to Canada, present the distinction to Stewart. Dignitaries from the Canadian government, diplomatic corps, and the Moroccan community in Canada graced the occasion.

Ambassador Otmani, in her remarks, highlighted the decoration as a token of appreciation for Stewart's dedication and instrumental role in strengthening Moroccan-Canadian relations. She emphasized that this honour signifies the exceptional bond, spanning all areas, that unites the two nations and the shared commitment to further nurturing this exemplary partnership.

Expressing her deep gratitude and profound respect for the Sovereign, Stewart declared her immense honour at receiving the royal distinction. Acknowledging the decoration as a testament to the robust bilateral ties extending over six decades, she expressed her delight in representing Canada in «a magnificent country with a rich and diverse culture, a nation on the rise with potent economic potential». She affirmed Canada's continued commitment to collaborating with Morocco for the mutual benefit of both nations.