102 take citizenship oath in Brandon

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This article was published 07/06/2025 (294 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canada flags, rows and rows of people smiling, and more than 100 new Canadians filled the Dome Building in Brandon on Friday to become the country’s newest citizens.

“I am very happy,” said Yinyan Liang, who was one of 102 people to pledge their oath of Canadian citizenship.

Liang said she and her now 10-year-old daughter Sunny emigrated from China six years ago so she could take classes at Assiniboine College.

“It means belonging to me,” said Liang. “And also, as a parent, it means she can grow up in this country and she can have a choice of her life.”

She said Canada means being able to choose one’s future, adding that she has more freedom in life here.

“In my country, you can only see one path, but here there’s a lot of possibilities,” said Liang. “And the people don’t judge you on which pathway you choose. You live your own life.”

Other new citizens said coming to Canada was difficult, but that it’s worth it.

Shanise McGowan-Graham, 42, said coming into a new culture “is a challenge … but we overcome it.”

She said becoming a Canadian citizen is amazing.

“It’s like a dream come true,” she said, smiling. “It’s good.”

McGowan-Graham said when she and her now 11-year-old son moved to Canada from Jamaica in February 2021, it was -40 C outside.

“Oh my God, it was terrifying, scary,” she said. “I was locked away for two weeks, so cold I was.”

She said she has since gotten used to the cold temperatures felt in the winter months, but that she still “doesn’t love it.”

McGowan-Graham wasn’t expecting to move to Canada, but that when her husband left Jamaica to study at Brandon University, “he fell in love, and he suggested we come to see what it’s like. And we’re here.”

She said she loves living in Brandon with her family, and that it’s nice there’s no traffic and not a lot of violence.

The new citizens completed their journey by pledging an oath that they “will be faithful, and bear true allegiance” to the country.

Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière explained to the new citizens and hundreds of family and friends accompanying them what being Canadian means, including freedom to be who you want to be, and that Canada is bilingual and founded on Indigenous land.

“Today I really want to recognize the courage, the determination and the hard work it took for each of you to be here,” said Carrière during the start of the ceremony.

“I know there are difficult times along the way to be persevered,” she said.

“You’ve embraced the country — and now, here you are, about to become a Canadian citizen.”

The new citizens were handed a certificate, flag and pins with maple leaves on them as a representation of their accomplishment.

Thirty-five-year-old Muhammad Abuzar Khan said while it took five years in Canada after he moved here for him to become a citizen, it wasn’t difficult. He said he came to Brandon because of his wife.

“It’s a very big day for me,” said Khan, who moved from Pakistan.

“It’s a great honour to be a Canadian citizen. And I’m getting a first world country’s passport,” he said.

“Being a first world country’s citizen is a big honour for me. I’m very happy to be here today.”

Arlene Montemayor, 47 was one of six members of her family to become citizens.

“Excited and happy, and finally we will becoming citizens,” she said, while sitting next to her husband and four children.

She said moving to Neepawa from the Philippines wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but that it was worth the work.

“Lots of challenges, and also lots of happiness,” said Montemayor.

She said her husband first moved to the area for work, but saw how much opportunity there was in Canada.

“Especially for the kids, especially for education,” she said. “I’m very proud, very happy, excited.”

In total, the 102 new Canadians came from 17 different countries.

The event was held in conjunction with the Manitoba Summer Fair.

» alambert@brandonsun.com