More than 100 new citizens are ready to call Canada home as they are seen receiving their certificate during an IRCC Citizenship Ceremony held Thursday afternoon at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
“Who is a citizen? I’ll tell you a citizen is one who their country has recognized as necessary for the continuous growth and development, the continuous thriving and surviving of our society. Today, Canada defines you as such, along with many other characteristics,” words read to new citizens from local poet Chidimma Chukwunyerenwa, a Grade 11 student from McCoy High School during a ceremony in Medicine Hat on Thursday.
More than 100 new Canadians were welcomed during an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ceremony and oath-taking held at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre that was delivered primarily in English.
People from more than 30 countries took their Oath of Citizenship marking their final step in officially becoming Canadian.
“I love living in Canada, I love the culture here, I love the people here, so friendly,” said Gagandwep Singh, who moved to Medicine Hat from India. “Canada is welcoming. We have a welcoming culture, all the diversity that Canadians have, I want to experience that, so that’s what I was looking for.”
“Finally we’re home,” said Josie Santos, from the Philippines. “We’re so blessed that we got our citizenship, Canada is a good country.”
Santos received her citizenship alongside her close friend Imedla Bernales, who explained some of the requirements that are needed to be fulfilled before becoming officially Canadian.
“We needed to apply for a residency and then we needed to wait more than 1,000 hours to apply,” explains Bernales.
Generally the government requires new citizens to permanently reside in the country for at least three of the last five years and demonstrate English or French language proficiency.
Christopher Mendez travelled to Medicine Hat from Calgary to attend the ceremony in person. Menez says he moved to Calgary in 2021 to enrol at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Mendez, originally from the Philippines, says it hasn’t been difficult to adapt to Canadian culture and he plans to set up roots in the country after graduating from Business Administration in 2023.
“It was exciting,” Mendez said.
Mayor Linnsie Clark and Elder Charlie Fox, along with a representative from the RCMP, welcomed new Canadians during the hour-long ceremony that included a performance from Jingle Dancer and artist Josie Saddleback, and a passionate speech delivered by Chukwunyerenwa.
“And with that, I say welcome to the unbreakable network of Canadian citizens striving to improve our democracy and striving to further our nation’s economy. With that, I say welcome, to a nation that recognizes you, that accepts you and that wishes the best for its citizens, With that, I say, welcome home.”
