Canada Day Was Extra Special for These Immigrants
Canada Day celebrations were held across the country on July 1, 2019, to mark 152 years since the Constitution Act of 1867 officially united Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia into a new federation within the British Empire known then as the Dominion of Canada. People living in Canada celebrated this national holiday with parades, concerts, bar-b-ques, fireworks and other fun activities. More than 1,000 permanent residents enjoyed an extra special Canada Day this year at 42 ceremonies held nationwide where they received their Canadian citizenship.
In Vancouver, 60 immigrants from 36 countries were granted Canadian citizenship at a special ceremony. British Columbia's Lt. Governor officiated at the event and told the new Canadian citizens, “You may have faced great hardship and adversity before coming to Canada and you all made sacrifices to be here. I thank you for answering our invitation to make Canada your home.” One of the immigrants present was a man named Jerry, who was able to relocate to Canada with his family from The Philippines in 2015 through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Jerry is currently working in Canada in the information technology sector and said he is honored to become a Canadian citizen.
Calgary hosted another Canadian citizenship ceremony in the neighboring province of Alberta. For an immigrant from Uruguay, the ceremony had additional meaning since he was able to become a Canadian citizen on the Canada Day holiday and because it was also his 26th birthday! Another immigrant who received Canadian citizenship at the ceremony in Calgary was originally from Romania. She declared, “It’s a big opportunity for our kids, for the future of our kids – school, university, they have a real good future in Canada.”
Meanwhile, 30 permanent residents were granted Canadian citizenship in Regina, Saskatchewan. One of the immigrants at the event expressed his gratitude by saying, “Thank you very much Canada for giving us this opportunity to apply for permanent residency and ultimately become a Canadian citizen.” His wife also received her Canadian citizenship at the Regina ceremony and said it was a “memorable” occasion, particularly because it occurred on Canada Day.
Several Canadian citizenship ceremonies took place in Ontario on Canada Day. Thirty immigrants received Canadian citizenship at a ceremony in Ottawa. One of them was an 11-year-old boy from Venezuela, who said he was concerned about the situation in his country of origin and exclaimed, "I am so proud to be a Canadian citizen and come to this country where it is safe."
In the Ontario community of Niagara Falls, 25 immigrants from 12 countries became new citizens of Canada, including two individuals from Cuba and Jordan who both said they appreciate the freedom they enjoy living in Canada. An immigrant from India stated that she was honored to become a Canadian citizen and thankful for the opportunity to get a job in Canada and to purchase a house. A guest speaker at the ceremony was the 2018 Miss Universe Canada, who was able to relocate to Canada with her family from Poland when she was a little girl. She said, "It gives me great pride to welcome all of you to Canada, the same way that Canada welcomed me with open arms all those years ago. Welcome home!"
If you and your family relocate to Canada as permanent residents, you could also have the opportunity to become a Canadian citizen after only three years living in this immigrant-friendly country. Who knows? You might be able to receive your Canadian citizenship during a future Canada Day celebration!
To learn more about living and working in Canada, click here!
