The following are remarks made by Lee Richardson, MP at a recent citizenship ceremony where 50 residents became Canadian Citizens.

Good morning, it is an honour to welcome Judge Springate, our Senior Citizenship Judge of Canada. Judge Springate is a Canadian sports legend having played football for the Montreal Alouettes and has served his country in many capacities including in the National Assembly of Quebec.  I would also like to welcome my fellow elected officials, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.                                                                                        

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, it is a pleasure to join all of you here for this special occasion – a citizenship ceremony for some of our newest Canadians.                                                                             

Today’s ceremony is especially unique. It is, ladies and gentlemen, the official opening of this new citizenship ceremony room, part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s new office in Calgary.                                                                                      

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to participate in this very special occasion for the city of Calgary – and to share this special day with all of you who will become Canadian citizens today.                                                                                      

Prior to today’s grand opening, Calgary had not had a dedicated citizenship ceremony room since 2002. This new room is based on CIC’s Enhanced Ceremony concept, and as you can see, it features unique design elements and furnishings, a spectacular full-wall mural with images of Canada, Alberta, and Calgary, and a panoramic wall of windows providing a scenic view of the Bow River.

With this new dedicated space, the administration of citizenship testing will be more efficient and the hosting of ceremonies more distinguished.

Today we are proud to welcome 50 new citizens from 28 countries. Some of you have travelled far. You have said goodbye to family, friends, and familiar surroundings, but now you have made new friends and joined a new family – the Canadian family.  

Each year, Canada welcomes more than 200,000 new permanent residents from around the world – newcomers who become citizens, embrace common values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and who strengthen our feeling of shared identity.

Some come to Canada seeking safety and freedom, and some come because Canada is a land of opportunity. It is my hope that as Canadians, you can take full advantage of the opportunities that our country has to offer.

Today we also swear allegiance to the Queen of Canada, our head of state.                                                     

When we personally affirm our allegiance to the Queen, we promise to be responsible for ourselves and our families, to respect the dignity of our fellow citizens, including the equality of men and women, and to take care of our country.                

And in return we receive the guarantee of our freedom, democracy, and constitutional rights. That is the meaning of the citizenship oath. That is why we say the words that we say.                                                                                          

Becoming a Canadian means integrating into Canadian society and taking responsibility for ourselves, our family, and our society.

In my experience, new Canadians have found that getting involved in their community gives them a sense of satisfaction; I encourage you to volunteer at your children’s school, in the community, or at your place of worship. Improve your English or French and meet others in your community by taking language courses. Get to know your neighbours and the people who live and work around you.

We’re all better citizens when we meet our obligations to our family and community, when we show respect and tolerance towards others, and every time we make the choice to do what is honest and law-abiding.

Canadians are a freedom-loving people, and we have a proud military tradition that proves that we are willing to make the sacrifices necessary for freedom. Six hundred thousand Canadians served in the First and Second World Wars; 100,000 Canadians gave their lives for our freedom and the freedom of others. We remember them all on Remembrance Day, November 11 – one of the most important days on the Canadian calendar.

Canadians are also a sports-loving people, as evidenced by our recent success at the Vancouver-Whistler Winter Olympics Games – success that was in many ways a legacy of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

And while the accomplishments of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes continue to inspire, it was the outpouring of national pride seen in Vancouver and throughout Canada that has created a new defining point in Canadian history. I think this is a great thing and I hope that we can all work together to create more of it! 

It is my hope that from this day forward, as you embark on your new journey as Canadian citizens, each day brings pride in your own accomplishments and a new resonance to the oath you swore today – one that binds us all to the fabric of Canada.

The path you lay out for yourself and your experiences will become a part of Canada’s continuing adventure. And what an exciting time and place to start that adventure.                                                                                                                 

On behalf of the Minister, congratulations on the opening of the new CIC Calgary office and this new citizenship ceremony room here in the Harry Hays Building. We’re very much looking forward to holding many more citizenship ceremonies here in the months and years ahead.                                                                                             

And on behalf of the Minister, congratulations to my new fellow Canadian citizens! Thank you all, and welcome home!