OTTAWA - The Dalai Lama's visit to Canada next week will include a public appearance with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and public addresses at major stadiums in Ottawa and Toronto.
The visit by the exiled spiritual leader of the world's Tibetan Buddhists comes amidst protests from Beijing that western governments are blatantly interfering in China's internal affairs.
Harper will be the fourth western leader to meet the Dalai Lama in recent weeks.
The 72-year Buddhist leader -- who has lived in exile since 1952 -- is attempting to raise the profile of Tibet's quest for autonomy in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Last week in Washington, he was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by U.S. President George W. Bush, raising the hackles of the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama will be celebrating his honorary Canadian citizenship while in Ottawa.
MPs and Senators on the multi-party Parliamentary Friends of Tibet group say three Canadian municipalities so far have agreed to fly the Tibetan flag during the Dalai Lama's three-day visit to Canada, which begins Sunday.
