Canada Strips Charity Founder of Honor Following Conviction in Nepal

After years of fallout from a troubling case, Canada has officially revoked a significant civilian honor from Peter Dalglish, who was once praised for his charity work. Governor-General Mary Simon disclosed on Friday that Dalglish’s membership in the Order of Canada has been suspended. This decision comes seven years after he was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting two boys—ages 11 and 14—in Nepal.

Dalglish, who co-founded Street Kids International, was awarded the Order of Canada in 2016. However, his accomplishments were overshadowed by his later conviction. In 2019, he received a 16-year prison sentence for the heinous acts committed.

Authorities in Nepal had been monitoring Dalglish for weeks before a police raid led to the discovery of the boys at his residence. Allegations against him included exploiting vulnerable children from impoverished backgrounds, luring them with promises of education and opportunities.

The Nepali court mandated that Dalglish pay around $9,100 in compensation to his victims. According to reports, activists in Nepal emphasized that this conviction sends a powerful message in a country grappling with child exploitation and inadequate legal measures against sex offenders targeting the underprivileged.

In recent years, Nepal has faced increasing scrutiny regarding instances of foreign predators leveraging humanitarian work to exploit vulnerable children.

Dalglish began his philanthropic journey in the 1980s, gaining recognition for his efforts with street children and child laborers. His organization eventually merged with Save the Children, and he held significant positions in various international humanitarian organizations related to the United Nations.