Canada’s newest citizens proud, excited

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This article was published 21/04/2011 (5528 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a job opportunity that brought Graham White to Canada from South Africa nine years ago.

But White says it will be Canada’s "unified cultural and geographical diversity" that keeps him here for the rest of his life.

White and his wife, Carlyn, were two of 144 area residents who officially became Canadians during a citizenship ceremony at Brandon’s King George School yesterday afternoon.

"Canada is very diverse, culturally and geographically, and yet it forms a very good whole," Graham said. "There’s so many different cultures, but they all seem to work together, tolerate one another and accept one another."

A physician in the Glenboro area, Graham said he’s extremely excited about finally being able to be fully integrated into all elements of Canadian society — especially when it comes to voting.

"It’s great to be able to do that now," he said. "I just hope we can vote in this federal election."

Without hesitation, both Graham and Carlyn name the beauty of Prairie winters as one of their most favourite things about Canada.

"I just find it quite pretty in winter. If I had a choice, I would prefer winter without the mosquitoes to the hot weather with the mosquitoes," Graham said, laughing.

Originally from the African nation of Eritrea, Lideya Kassa and her younger sister, Hiba, celebrated their official Canadian citizenship yesterday after three years in Brandon — made slightly bittersweet, however, by the fact that their mom, sister and brother did not pass their citizenship exam with them.

Nonetheless, Lideya says she is extremely excited to be a Canadian who can travel freely without fear.

"It makes your life easier, being here, because you can go and come whenever you want," she said.

George Fitton student and El Salvador native Alejandro Argueta became a Canadian citizen yesterday at the tender age of 11 and also says he’s very excited to be able to use a Canadian passport and travel abroad.

Helping his mother study for her citizenship test, Argueta said they learned many unique Canadian facts, like that Joseph Bombardier invented the first snowmobile.

Now that he is officially a Canadian, Argueta said his dream of operating an autobody shop someday seems a lot closer.

"I feel now like I have better chances than before," he said, beaming.

Yesterday’s group of new Canadians were treated to a video presentation and a musical selection from King George students during the ceremony, along with greetings from Brandon Mayor Shari Decter Hirst and Leslie Allen from Westman Immigrant Services.

Decter Hirst says she had to fight back tears during her short speech as she was overwhelmed by the "power" of the event.

"I believe so passionately about this city and to see these people, leaving homes to make their new homes in our city, I just felt so honoured to be able to be part of that experience," she said.

"Many people in Brandon had grandparents, parents that were immigrants themselves, and they came to this city to start new lives. They worked hard and built a community, and that’s what I’m hoping that our newest citizens will find, a community that is both welcoming and also a place to build prosperity."