Citizenship ceremony for new Canadians marks end of emotional journeys
101 take oath in Dome Building
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/06/2018 (2841 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
One hundred and one people from 21 nations and backgrounds became Canadian citizens on Wednesday under the majestic domes of the Display Building No. 2 at the Keystone Centre grounds.
Adeola Igbalajobi, who is originally from Nigeria and now lives in Brandon —and who scored 20 out of 20 on her citizenship test — was among those who became Canadians.
“I love Canada, I’m going to be Canadian finally, and I can’t wait,” Igbalajobi said before the ceremony.
“I came to Canada for the first time in September of 2009, so it’s been quite a journey,” she said. “I’m so happy that I’m finally here today.”
Last year’s Brandon citizenship ceremony was held at the Keystone Centre when 153 people were sworn in. Two years ago, the ceremony was also held at the Dome Building.
Whatever the location, Sharon Fletcher, citizenship and immigration officer with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, said these kinds of citizenship ceremonies mark an end to an emotional journey for those who take the oath.
“This is a very happy event for the new citizens, they’ve come a long way,” Fletcher said. “They’ve had to work hard and study hard to get to this point, and it’s a very joyous event. It’s definitely an accomplishment to get to this point.”
One of the requirements to become a Canadian citizen, Fletcher said, is that applicants must reside in the country for a minimum of three years.
Many people submitting files have been in Canada since 2015 or earlier, and can only now apply for citizenship.
Igbalajobi herself has been here for nine years.On Wednesday, she and 100 other people who received their certificate of citizenship watched a pre-recorded video of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on multiple TV screens.
“Welcome aboard,” Trudeau said in the video, who shared the screens with beavers and polar bears.
Each new citizen of Canada was handed a miniature Canadian flag with their certificate.
One family from Germany at the citizenship ceremony had been living in Manitoba for quite some time before applying for citizenship. Katie Berg lived in Canada for 14 years with her husband Ben Berg. They both live in Kola, about an hour drive from Brandon.
“It’s important to become Canadian citizens so we can vote and be more involved in the country,” Katie Berg said.
James Liu was another who received his certificate of citizenship. He lives in Brandon, and to celebrate he said he was going to “have a nice dinner.”
“I’m very excited,” he said.
Four other citizenship ceremonies will take place in Manitoba later this month at locations in Winnipeg on June 12, 18 and 19.
» mverge@brandonsun.com
»Twitter: @Melverge5