By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
All levels of officialdom agree – presiding at a new Canadians’ citizenship ceremony is among their happiest of duties.
These good offices were put to that very task Saturday morning at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, when Canada welcomes its newest 48 members to the national family from 13 different countries of origin.
Rows A through E in the theatre’s centre block were reserved for these VIPs while, on stage, a dignified screen hid the set for that night’s production of The Full Monty to provide a table for the dignitaries to sit in front of the Canadian, Ontario and Northumberland flags after being piped down the aisles.
General Support Clerk Isabel De Freitas introduced presiding officer Capt. Kevin Junor (retired), who would administer the oath and present the speakers.
Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson reminded these newest citizens that Canada had been built by settlers and immigrants.
“The relationship was tested during the early days, but we made agreements to share the land and the wealth that came with it,” he said.
“That relationship had its ups and downs over the years, but we are now in the process of reconciliation.”
Canada supports the different cultures of the world to provide a place where you can do anything you set your minds and efforts to, the chief stated.
“We have the best of what the entire world has to offer, and that’s due to our new immigrants, our new Canadians, who bring their ways and values and cultures.”
Capt. Junor encouraged the new Canadians to research this feature of their adopted homeland, and reminded them of the responsibilities that citizenship brings. Along with a wonderful list of the rights Canadians enjoy, he said, we have the responsibility to obey the law, take care of our own health and families, respond to any calls to serve on a jury, vote in elections, help others, and protect our heritage and environment.
He then asked the 48 prospective citizens to rise. Though they were of all ages, from senior citizens to a baby in a stroller, each of them over the age of 14 was required to take the oath:
“I swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada, his heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada – including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples – and fulfill my duties as a citizen of Canada.”
After administering it a second time in French, Capt. Junor announced, “Congratulations! You are now Canadians.”
Each new citizen filed past the line-up of dignitaries to receive certificates, lapel pins, flags and congratulations – congratulations that were then echoed by the panel of speakers representing every level of government.
Wearing two hats – as Port Hope’s mayor and Northumberland County’s deputy warden – Olena Hankivsky declared herself “proud to represent a community that takes pride in embracing diversity, unity and the values that define our nation. It’s a day filled with hope, promise and endless possibilities.”
Hankivsky choked up slightly as she talked of being a first-generation Canadian, the daughter of an immigrant.
“May your future be filled with joy, possibility and a deep sense of belonging,” she said.
Northumberland’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Dan Borowec – the other first-generation Canadian on the panel – choked up a bit as well while recounting his father’s taking the citizenship oath in 1954.
“No one was prouder or more privileged to be a Canadian,” he declared.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini – a second-generation Canadian on his father’s side – has attended a few such ceremonies as Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills, and it’s always a special day.
“It’s when you make a commitment to the Canadian family. To our family,” Piccini said.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence agreed that Canada is basically a family of 37-million people, “who are committed to your success, just as you are committed to all their success.
“In this group could be the person who cures cancer, who invents a way to fight climate change, who invents the next great step in technology.”
The dignitaries stuck around to take photos with the new Canadians (who enjoyed red- and white-iced cupcakes as they waited their turn) before walking down Queen Street to enjoy the Northumberland Diversity Festival in Memorial Park.
