Immigrants celebrate Canada Day with citizenship in Vaughan
YorkRegion.com
July 4, 2017
Simon Martin
What’s the best way to celebrate Canada’s 150 birthday? Some choose fireworks others a barbecue with friends and family. But for Toronto resident Hensigne Edward it was becoming a Canadian citizen.
He was one of 40 people to receive their citizenship at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Vaughan July 1.
Bright smiles lit up the room of the gallery as people finally received their long-awaited citizenship. For Edward, it has been 28 years since he moved to Canada from Jamaica. Citizenship has been a long time coming. “Canada has wonderful freedom and prosperity,” he said.
Edward couldn’t wipe the smile off his face when he went up to the front of the room to get his citizenship document. It formalized what he already knew. “I’m Canadian,” he said.
Teenagers Ahmed and Mustafa Al-Shammari were pleased to get their citizenship after moving to Canada from Iraq in 2012. The Milton residents said the country has opened its doors to them. “I like freedom,” Ahmed said. “You can do what you want.”
Nigerian native Marvin Ogiesoba has lived in Canada since 2007 and said he now considers this land home. “I came here for protection,” he said. “It’s peaceful. I love it.”
What does loving Canada mean for Ogiesoba? While he still prefers his native African food but he said enjoys a good poutine every once in a while.
The event was part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada events taking place across the country to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
There were 55 special citizenship ceremonies across Canada to welcome new Canadians.
Several dignitaries were on hand including Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte, Vaughan-Woodbridge MP Francesco Sorbara, and Vaughan MPP Stephen Del Duca.
Both Bevilacqua and Schulte talked about their experiences as immigrants coming to Canada.
“I came to a country that was open and that gave me opportunities,” Bevilacqua said.
Schulte still remembers the day in 1983 when she received her Canadian citizenship and told the crowd that the day still has a special place in her heart.
“I’m sure you will never forget this day,” she said.
