Canadian immigration holds citizenship ceremony during Winter Olympics
February 22 2010 by Liam Clifford
The 2010 Olympic Games was the setting for a special Canadian citizenship ceremony yesterday.
45 individuals from 24 countries
took the oath of citizenship at the Government of Canada Olympic Pavilion. They
became Canadian citizens in the presence of Canada Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, as well as several special guests
including Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison, Olympic pairs figure skaters, and Dave
Guscott of the Vancouver Organizing Committee.
Mr. Kenney said he was
proud to have witnessed the event: “Each year, approximately 170,000 people from
around the world become new Canadian citizens,” he said. “Every time Canada
welcomes a new citizen, another page of our country’s story is written. Just as
Canada’s athletes are making their mark during the Olympics, the individuals
celebrated here today will become part of Canada’s vibrant history and culture.”
The location of the citizenship ceremony was chosen because it
represents several attributes that Canada wishes to showcase during the Games,
such as diversity, inclusiveness, perseverance and national pride.
From
March 15th, those wishing to become Canadian citizens will be required to study
a new comprehensive citizenship study guide published by Canada immigration. Entitled Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of
Citizenship, the guide claims to promote a greater understanding of Canada’s
history, values, symbols and important Canadian institutions, such as Parliament
and the Crown. It also educates new Canadian citizens about the country’s two
official languages.
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