Canada Day Celebrated With Parades, Fireworks and Citizenship Ceremonies
Happy 147th Birthday Canada! On July 1, 2014, Canadians celebrated “Canada Day” by gathering with family and friends for backyard barbeques, picnics at the park, festive parades and spectacular fireworks shows. For over 2,200 people from 138 countries around the globe, this year’s Canada Day was particularly meaningful since they took the oath to become brand new Canadian citizens at 45 special citizenship ceremonies held across the country. According to Canada’s government, the 2,200 people who received Canadian citizenship during dozens of ceremonies held on Canada Day are among 130,000 foreign nationals who had earlier been approved for Canadian immigration and were then granted Canadian citizenship this year. Canada’s government also reports that 1.3 million people have received Canadian citizenship since 2006, for a total immigrant population of approximately 7 million people out of Canada’s 35 million residents.
In a statement welcoming the thousands of immigrants who received Canadian citizenship on Canada Day, Chris Alexander, who is Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, declared, “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate our newest citizens and welcome them to the Canadian family on this special day. Canada Day is a day to reflect upon what it means to be Canadian and to reaffirm our commitment to upholding Canadian values, which have their roots in democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. It is a day to recognize both the rights and responsibilities of each and every Canadian. Congratulations and Happy Canada Day!"
Sustained Canadian immigration has made Canada one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Every year, the Canadian government approves around 250,000 foreign nationals for a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada, which gives them the legal right to live, work or study long-term in this scenic country and provides them with the option to apply for Canadian citizenship after a relatively short period of time (particularly compared to most countries). Foreign nationals may apply for a PR Visa to Canada through several Canadian immigration programs and if approved, they and their eligible family members can move to Canada and have the opportunity to enjoy one of the highest standards of living on Earth. Just think – if you and your family are issued a PR Visa to Canada, you might also be celebrating a special Canada Day in the future at a ceremony to receive your Canadian citizenship!
