Hollywood star Richard Gere received a standing ovation from Canadian politicians during a planned appearance in the House of Commons on Monday.

The outspoken actor arrived in Ottawa for a parliamentary hearing where MPs delivered an official statement on the human rights situation in Tibet.

“Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate the 90th birthday of his holiness the Dalai Lama,” Liberal MP James Maloney said during Question Period on Monday. “Following a request from his holiness to then Prime Minister Lester Pearson, the first two Tibetan refugees landed in Canada on October 15, 1970, just over 55 years ago.”

“Since then, Tibetan Canadians have been contributing to the Canadian economy, community and social fabric of our country,” he added. “The impact of his holiness is far-reaching an

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