Citizenship / en In photos: New Canadians take citizenship oath at 茄子直播 Mississauga-hosted ceremony /news/photos-new-canadians-take-citizenship-oath-u-t-mississauga-hosted-ceremony <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In photos: New Canadians take citizenship oath at 茄子直播 Mississauga-hosted ceremony</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DSC_0513-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=W_a4kZKG 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/DSC_0513-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=74Vlqz5X 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/DSC_0513-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=kGcoAIYg 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DSC_0513-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=W_a4kZKG" alt> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-03-27T13:09:28-04:00" title="Monday, March 27, 2023 - 13:09" class="datetime">Mon, 03/27/2023 - 13:09</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Soon-to-be Canadian citizens say the oath at a citizenship ceremony held at University of Toronto Mississauga on March 21, 2023 (photo by Laura Proctor)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/kate-martin" hreflang="en">Kate Martin</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alexandra-gillespie" hreflang="en">Alexandra Gillespie</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">茄子直播</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Mississauga</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Judge Albert Wong recently encouraged 42 candidates from 11 countries to take a moment to reflect on their journey to become Canadians during a special citizenship ceremony held at the University of Toronto Mississauga.</p> <p>The session, one of the first held in person since the outbreak of COVID-19, was staged in Maanjiwe nendamowinan鈥檚 Grand Hall on March 21 in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/CitizenshipCollage1.png" style="width: 750px; height: 569px;"></p> <p><em>Judge Albert Wong, bottom left, presides over a citzenship ceremony at 茄子直播 Mississauga&nbsp;(photos by Laura Proctor)</em></p> <p>During the program, Wong praised the staff of the IRCC for their efforts to swear-in more than 500,000 new citizens by Zoom video call during the pandemic.&nbsp;</p> <p>He also said March 21 was an appropriate date to hold the ceremony, noting it&nbsp;coincided with both the onset of spring and the&nbsp;<a href="/news/we-all-need-be-changemakers-u-t-marks-international-day-elimination-racial-discrimination">International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination</a>, reflecting times for fresh starts and bringing people together.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/CitizenshipCollage2.png" style="width: 750px; height: 584px;"></p> <p><em>(photos by Laura Proctor)</em></p> <p>Wong shared with the group his own immigration experience, moving to Canada from Malaysia in 1971. He&nbsp;joined&nbsp;the Canadian Armed Forces as soon as he graduated high school, eventually serving nearly 40 years before becoming a citizenship judge.</p> <p>In addition to Wong, 茄子直播&nbsp;Vice-President and&nbsp;Principal 茄子直播 Mississauga&nbsp;<strong>Alexandra Gillespie</strong>&nbsp;and Vice-Provost, International Student Experience <strong>Alexie Tcheuyap</strong>&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;themselves immigrants from New Zealand and Cameroon, respectively&nbsp;鈥 attended the ceremony.</p> <p>Nigerian Canadian poet and 茄子直播 Mississauga&nbsp;alumnus <strong>Ayomide Bayowa</strong>, <a href="/news/u-t-mississauga-student-aims-inspire-city-s-poet-laureate">Mississauga鈥檚 current poet laureate</a>, performed a special piece in honour of the new citizens.</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/CitizenshipCollage3.png" style="width: 750px; height: 569px;"></p> <p><em>茄子直播 Vice-President and Principal of&nbsp;茄子直播 Mississauga&nbsp;Alexandra Gillespie&nbsp;speaks into a microphone at top left and poses for a group photo that includes Alexie Tcheuyap, 茄子直播鈥檚 associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience (photos by Laura Proctor)</em></p> <p>As they collected their certificates conferring their new status, Wong gave the group words of encouragement, reminding them that, in Canada, 鈥渄iversity is our strength.鈥</p> <p>鈥淭his is a threshold moment, not the end of your citizenship journey,鈥 he said, urging the newcomers to involve themselves in Canada鈥檚 Indigenous reconciliation and social inclusion efforts and encouraging them to pursue artistic endeavours to bring 鈥渓ight and joy and beauty and peace鈥 to their new home.</p> <p>鈥淐itizenship is an instrument to make our country stronger.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:09:28 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 181033 at Hundreds receive their Canadian citizenship at Convocation Hall ceremony /news/hundreds-receive-their-canadian-citizenship-convocation-hall-ceremony <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Hundreds receive their Canadian citizenship at Convocation Hall ceremony</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2019-02-04-gertler-1140x760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=09myJfN2 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2019-02-04-gertler-1140x760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=oAvQIiOh 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2019-02-04-gertler-1140x760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=N4cNTJco 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2019-02-04-gertler-1140x760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=09myJfN2" alt="Photo of Meric Gertler at citizenship ceremony"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-02-04T09:01:40-05:00" title="Monday, February 4, 2019 - 09:01" class="datetime">Mon, 02/04/2019 - 09:01</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">茄子直播 President Meric Gertler said it was fitting to host a citizenship ceremony at 茄子直播, which 鈥渓ike Canada itself reflects the diversity of the world鈥 (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/convocation-hall" hreflang="en">Convocation Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rose-patten" hreflang="en">Rose Patten</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">茄子直播 Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>For Professor <strong>Maydianne Andrade</strong>, speaking at a citizenship ceremony at the University of Toronto over the weekend was a reminder of her own family's experience coming to Canada.</p> <p>She moved here from Jamaica with her family when she was three years old, and she acquired her citizenship at eight.</p> <p>鈥淜now that the children around the room are thinking,&nbsp;鈥業s this ever going to be over?鈥欌 she told the crowd of about 500 people at the&nbsp;ceremony in Convocation Hall on Saturday.&nbsp;鈥淏ut someday, they'll come forward and say thank you so much for the bravery and the courage it took to come to Canada and become of Canada.鈥</p> <p>Her parents didn't go to university, Andrade said, but they valued higher education. When people asked why they moved to Burnaby, B.C.,&nbsp;her parents pointed to the Simon Fraser University campus on the hill&nbsp;and said their kids would go there one day.</p> <p>Many years later, Andrade did. She acquired her bachelor's of science, writing a thesis on the effect of artificial selection on behavioural variation within clones of the pea aphid. The self-described&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2012/11/03/jamaica_to_maydianne_andrade_biologist_studies_spiders.html">鈥渂ug nerd鈥</a> now runs a lab focused on integrative behavioural ecology of mating, chiefly in black widow spiders. She also promotes diversity and inclusion at 茄子直播 Scarborough as vice-dean of faculty affairs and equity.</p> <p>In her lectures on evolutionary biology, she teaches students about adaptation and the benefits of having different types of traits.&nbsp;The same might be said for Canada, she told everyone at the citizenship ceremony.&nbsp;鈥淒ifferent ideas, different cultures, the ability to think in new ways about problems&nbsp;鈥 this is what makes us strong as a nation and as individuals,鈥 she said.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10106 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/citizenship-oath.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>A woman studies the oath of citizenship with a Mandarin translation (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)</em></p> <p>Being a member of the platform party was also personal for <strong>Sandy Welsh</strong>, 茄子直播's vice-provost, students and a professor of sociology. She came to Canada from the U.S.&nbsp;and got her Canadian citizenship about a decade ago.&nbsp;鈥淭he citizenship ceremony was a wonderful experience to share with all the new Canadians,鈥 she told <em>茄子直播 News</em>.&nbsp;鈥淎ll walked into Convocation Hall with different life&nbsp;experiences and they walked out with something they shared 鈥 being a Canadian citizen.鈥</p> <p>After the birth of her second child, she realized that Canada wasn鈥檛 only her kids鈥 home, it was hers too. Welsh told <em>茄子直播 News</em> she wanted to become a Canadian citizen so her children saw the importance of voting.&nbsp;鈥淲e wanted our kids to see us voting and participating in democratic society,鈥 she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>茄子直播 President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>, federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen and 茄子直播 Chancellor <strong>Rose Patten</strong> joined Andrade and Welsh in welcoming the new citizens to the stage when their names were called.</p> <p>鈥淥n this momentous occasion, and reflecting on the turmoil and uncertainty in the world, it is easy to be reminded of how fortunate we are to be Canadians and to live in this wonderful country,鈥 President Gertler said.&nbsp;鈥淎t the same time, I want to emphasize how fortunate Canada is to welcome all of you as citizens.鈥</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10116 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/2019-02-04-maydianne-lead-resized.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Professor Maydianne Andrade, in the department of biological sciences at 茄子直播 Scarborough, was part of the platform party for the citizenship ceremony in Convocation Hall on Saturday&nbsp;(photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)&nbsp;</em></p> <p>Patten, who spent three decades working at the highest levels on Bay Street, said her career took her around the world, giving her a special perspective on Canada.</p> <p>鈥淚n my experience, Canada and Canadians are more than a place and a people,鈥 she said.&nbsp;鈥淲e are an idea brought to life by diverse communities spread across a vast landscape.</p> <p>鈥淲e have built an inclusive and harmonious society that combines opportunity and prosperity with fairness and compassion.鈥</p> <p>Among the new Canadians in the hall Saturday&nbsp;were&nbsp;<strong>Sue Murphy</strong>, from the office of the vice-provost, faculty and academic life, and her husband Cormac. They moved to Canada eight years ago, and it feels like home, Murphy said.</p> <p>鈥淚 most definitely feel&nbsp;a sense of being Canadian after being integrated and being welcomed into this city and culture,鈥 she said.&nbsp;</p> <p>She's retained her Irish lilt, though she's adopted some Canadian words and expressions. She's substituted 鈥渟idewalk鈥 for&nbsp;鈥渇ootpath,鈥 and&nbsp;鈥済arbage鈥 for&nbsp;鈥渞ubbish bin.鈥</p> <p>Going into the citizenship ceremony, she didn鈥檛 know what to expect. The more than century-old venue added a feeling of grandeur that suited the occasion, she said. She was happy to see familiar faces among the platform party.&nbsp;</p> <p>And when she returned to work on Monday, she discovered&nbsp;a little surprise at her desk: Her co-workers had decorated it with maple leaf flags.&nbsp;</p> <hr> <p><em>茄子直播 News</em> spoke to several other Canadians at Saturday's ceremony about what the day meant to them.&nbsp;</p> <h3>Muntasir Hossain</h3> <p>From the United Arab Emirates</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10097 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/muntasir.jpg" style="width: 333px; height: 500px; float: left; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image">鈥淚 had a few friends who had come to Toronto before. They said it's a very nice place, it's multicultural, there are people accepting everywhere. And&nbsp;there are tons of food options.&nbsp;I love Toronto, I love the vibe it has. Go Raps go!&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淚 have the right to vote now. That makes a difference... before I wasn't too inclined to research the people who were campaigning. Sure,&nbsp;you hear about them on the news, but now I will invest more of my time to see which candidates align with how I feel. I think that's a huge part of being in a community.鈥</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Cara Du Boulay</h3> <p>From Saint Lucia</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10098 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/cara.jpg" style="width: 333px; height: 500px; float: left; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>鈥淚 came in here not knowing what to expect. My emotions were all over the place. When I went up to receive my certificate, it made me feel more complete.</p> <p>鈥淚&nbsp;feel like now I can use this to impact society with whatever skills I have, and to push forward with confidence.鈥</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Vandad Akhtarkhavari</h3> <p>From Iran&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10099 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/vandad2.jpg" style="width: 333px; height: 500px; float: left; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>鈥淚 don't feel any different now&nbsp;鈥 well, kind of. I don't know how to explain this. It's just exciting and it feels really good.</p> <p>鈥淭his is probably never going to happen but I want to be quarterback for the Patriots or, like,&nbsp;a lawyer.鈥</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Demetria Q.&nbsp;</h3> <p>From St. Vincent and the Grenadines</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10100 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/demetria.jpg" style="width: 333px; height: 500px; float: left; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>鈥淚 had already considered myself Canadian but this was the last step to finally finish the process. I think for me it's really important because every time I travel I'm the odd one out in my family. Everyone has a Canadian passport ... Now that I'm going to be legally Canadian, I won't feel as much like an outsider.鈥</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Mike Doherty&nbsp;</h3> <p>From Ireland</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10104 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/mike.jpg" style="width: 333px; height: 500px; float: left; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>鈥淚t means a whole lot to me ... In Ireland there was the recession and all of that. I came here to get a better life for myself. I met my wife here and now I have a daughter, born seven months ago so she's a Canadian. For me to be a Canadian and have us all as a family of Canadians is really good.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:01:40 +0000 geoff.vendeville 152707 at In the Globe and Mail: What 茄子直播's Mark Lautens learns from citizenship ceremonies /news/globe-and-mail-what-u-t-s-mark-lautens-learns-citizenship-ceremonies <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In the Globe and Mail: What 茄子直播's Mark Lautens learns from citizenship ceremonies</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-09-19-lautens-resized_2.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=64GeYOja 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-09-19-lautens-resized_2.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=H-NkgQet 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-09-19-lautens-resized_2.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=uNtsyj6t 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-09-19-lautens-resized_2.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=64GeYOja" alt="Photo of Mark Lautens"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-07-30T13:19:14-04:00" title="Monday, July 30, 2018 - 13:19" class="datetime">Mon, 07/30/2018 - 13:19</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">University Professor Mark Lautens writes in the Globe and Mail that presiding over citizenship ceremonies is an eye-opening experience (photo courtesy of Mark Lautens)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chemistry" hreflang="en">Chemistry</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Mark Lautens</strong> was born in Hamilton, Ont. But over the past few years&nbsp;he's attended citizenship ceremonies two to three times a month,&nbsp;gaining a fuller appreciation of his Canadian-ness in the process.</p> <p>An Officer of the Order of Canada, Lautens&nbsp;has the privilege of presiding&nbsp;over these ceremonies and explaining to participants what it means to be Canadian and to take the oath of citizenship.</p> <p>鈥淚 have come to the realization that I benefit more from the ceremony than those I serve,鈥 Lautens, a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors.htm">University Professor</a>&nbsp;in the University of Toronto's chemistry department, writes in the <em>Globe and Mail</em>.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淚f you want to gain a deep appreciation of what it means to become a Canadian, attend a ceremony and meet our newest citizens and listen to their stories.鈥</p> <p>Several citizenship ceremonies have been hosted at the University of Toronto in recent years. Last year, <a href="/news/citizenship-ceremony-u-t-scarborough-brings-more-few-surprises">one was held at 茄子直播 Scarborough</a> and another&nbsp;<a href="/news/marking-canada-s-150th-anniversary-hundreds-sworn-new-citizens-u-t-s-convocation-hall">at Convocation Hall.</a></p> <h3><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-what-i-learn-from-new-canadians/?page=all">Read the full op-ed in the <em>Globe and Mail</em></a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 30 Jul 2018 17:19:14 +0000 geoff.vendeville 139751 at Marking Canada's 150th anniversary, hundreds sworn in as new citizens at 茄子直播's Convocation Hall /news/marking-canada-s-150th-anniversary-hundreds-sworn-new-citizens-u-t-s-convocation-hall <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Marking Canada's 150th anniversary, hundreds sworn in as new citizens at 茄子直播's Convocation Hall</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-12-18-gertler-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-pPVqicO 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-12-18-gertler-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5JFSJPEx 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-12-18-gertler-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=bn7w8Oap 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-12-18-gertler-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=-pPVqicO" alt="Photo of Gertler at ceremony"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-12-18T11:36:29-05:00" title="Monday, December 18, 2017 - 11:36" class="datetime">Mon, 12/18/2017 - 11:36</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">茄子直播 President Meric Gertler greets a young, new Canadian at a citizenship ceremony in Convocation Hall on Saturday (all photos by Laura Pedersen)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/canada-150" hreflang="en">Canada 150</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/centre-drama" hreflang="en">Centre for Drama</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In the University of Toronto hall where students take their first steps as graduates, about 500 people from around the world started a new chapter in their lives as Canadian&nbsp;citizens.</p> <p>People of all ages and backgrounds filled Convocation Hall on 茄子直播鈥檚 downtown Toronto campus on Saturday to take the oath of citizenship and sing the national anthem.</p> <p>One of their first acts as citizens was to receive a warm welcome from a platform party that included 茄子直播 President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>, federal Science Minister and alumna <strong>Kirsty Duncan</strong>, Chair of 茄子直播's Governing Council <strong>Claire Kennedy</strong>, Chancellor <strong>Michael Wilson</strong>, Chancellor Emerita <strong>Vivienne Poy</strong> and University College Principal&nbsp;<strong>Donald Ainslie, </strong>who is also the&nbsp;chair of 茄子直播's sesquicentennial committee.</p> <p>President Gertler thanked those acquiring citizenship for coming&nbsp;to Canada&nbsp;鈥 and for enriching the country with their ideas and traditions.</p> <p>鈥淭he news reminds us on a daily basis of how fortunate we are to live in Canada,鈥 he told the audience, 鈥渂ut on this day&nbsp;we are also reminded of how fortunate we are that Canada continues to attract wonderful people from around the world, people who want to help strengthen our institutions, enrich our multicultural fabric and defend our values as Canadians.鈥</p> <p><img alt="New citizens during oath" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7156 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Citizens.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <i>Hundreds swore allegiance to the Queen&nbsp;in the oath of citizenship</i></p> <p>Duncan, <a href="http://magazine.utoronto.ca/feature/bringing-science-back-kirsty-duncan-canada-minister-rejuvenate-discovery-innovation-margaret-webb/">who&nbsp;before taking office&nbsp;taught medical geography</a> at 茄子直播 Scarborough and corporate responsibility at the Rotman School of Management, greeted the newest members of&nbsp; 鈥渙ur Canadian family.鈥</p> <p>鈥淢ost of us, our families come from elsewhere,鈥 she said, 鈥渁nd they have built this country, and you will build this country. You are already building this country.鈥</p> <p>Those in attendance waved mini Canadian flags and wore Maple Leaf pins on their lapels. The 150<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Canadian Confederation made the already special occasion even more momentous.&nbsp;Saturday's citizenship ceremony was the culmination of a series of Canada 150 events at 茄子直播 throughout the year.</p> <h3><a href="http://canada150.utoronto.ca/">Visit 茄子直播's Canada 150 website</a></h3> <p>Speakers at the ceremony took the opportunity to discuss the country's commitment to multiculturalism.&nbsp;Poy, the first Canadian senator of Asian descent, told the crowd that she and her husband chose to stay in Canada instead of moving to the U.S. because they thought Canada is a better place to raise a family.</p> <p>鈥淐anadians are defined by the way we behave, not by the colour of their skin,鈥 she said.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wilson, 茄子直播's current chancellor and former ambassador to the U.S., said travelling had given him a special perspective on Canada. The country is 鈥渁 source of hope鈥 and 鈥渨elcomes people of all backgrounds and celebrates diversity as a real strength.鈥</p> <div> <p><em>茄子直播 News</em> spoke to five new Canadians about why they chose this country and their ambitions.</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Nashwan Ashraf</strong></h3> <p><img alt="Nashwan" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7150 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Nashwan-Ashraf%2C-12.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><strong>Country of origin:</strong> Bangladesh</p> <p>鈥淚 was excited because we've been waiting for the opportunity to become citizens for a long time. It was fun. I hope to grow up to be a great Canadian.鈥</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Julija Pesic, PhD candidate in 茄子直播's Centre for Drama, Theatre &amp; Performance Studies</strong></h3> <p><img alt="Julija" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7151 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Julija-Pesic.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><strong>Country of origin: </strong>Serbia</p> <p>鈥淭his moment was extremely emotional for me. The University of Toronto and this country opened the door for me. I came here and restarted my academic career. I found new friends. I found a very supportive environment.鈥</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Payal Khazanchi</strong></h3> <p><img alt="Payal" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7152 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Payal-Khazanchi.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><strong>Country of origin</strong>: India</p> <p>鈥淚've heard so many good things about Canada. We&nbsp;met people who are Canadians and they are very polite.鈥</p> <p>Why did she and her family come here?&nbsp;鈥淚 personally wanted to see snow.鈥</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Paulo Bella</strong></h3> <p><img alt="Paulo" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7153 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Paulo-Bella.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><strong>Country of origin:</strong> Philippines</p> <p>鈥淐anada is one of the best places in the world. The people are nice, the culture is great&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;plus it's a multicultural country. Who wouldn't want to be here?鈥</p> <hr> <h3><strong>Sylvia Barton</strong></h3> <p><img alt="Sylvia" class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__7154 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/Sylvia%20Barton.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p><strong>Country of origin:</strong> Jamaica</p> <p>鈥淚t's the end of a long journey, and it's a great accomplishment for my family and me.鈥</p> <h3><a href="/news/almost-500-sworn-citizens-u-ts-convocation-hall-including-undergrad-and-professor">Read about last year's swearing-in at Convocation Hall</a></h3> <h3><a href="/news/citizenship-ceremony-u-t-scarborough-brings-more-few-surprises">Read about last summer's&nbsp;citizenship ceremony at 茄子直播 Scarborough</a></h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:36:29 +0000 geoff.vendeville 125125 at Citizenship ceremony at 茄子直播 Scarborough brings more than a few surprises /news/citizenship-ceremony-u-t-scarborough-brings-more-few-surprises <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Citizenship ceremony at 茄子直播 Scarborough brings more than a few surprises</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-08-25citizenship-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Qf4Nndk7 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-08-25citizenship-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=d7jvmspj 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-08-25citizenship-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=baQlcgUw 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-08-25citizenship-resized.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Qf4Nndk7" alt> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rasbachn</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-08-25T16:00:33-04:00" title="Friday, August 25, 2017 - 16:00" class="datetime">Fri, 08/25/2017 - 16:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">茄子直播 Scarborough has been hosting citizenship ceremonies for years, but this was the first year it worked with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, a national non-profit that delivers programs to inspire inclusion (photo by Ken Jones)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Alexa Battler</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/university-toronto-scarborough" hreflang="en">University of Toronto Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Despite being in labour, Julie Yap couldn鈥檛 miss seeing her husband Dan receive his official Canadian citizenship at 茄子直播 Scarborough.</p> <p>The soon-to-be-parents, who are originally from the Philippines, were excited to add another Canadian citizen to their family.&nbsp;鈥淚t makes today more extraordinary and special, because there鈥檚 two big events happening in one day,鈥 Julie&nbsp;said. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy he was able to get his citizenship before I give birth.鈥</p> <p>Dan was one of the 40 new Canadians from 23 countries who&nbsp;received their citizenship at 茄子直播 Scarborough. Julie said &nbsp;she plans on getting her own citizenship in two years when she reaches the eligible amount of time for permanent residents to become citizens.</p> <p>The ceremony was also a time for the couple to reflect on what Canada has meant to them, and will mean to their child.</p> <p>鈥淲e all agree that we should preserve Canadian culture and the notion that Canadians are nice and friendly and accommodating,鈥 Dan said. 鈥淚f you bump into someone who needs help 鈥&nbsp;we鈥檝e all been there 鈥 we help them.鈥</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__5753 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="417" src="/sites/default/files/2017-08-25-citizenship-yaps-resized_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="625" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Julie and Dan Yap: She didn't want to miss her husband's citizenship ceremony at 茄子直播 Scarborough, despite being in labour (photo by Ken Jones)</em></p> <p>While 茄子直播 Scarborough has been hosting citizenship ceremonies for years, this was the first year that the campus worked with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), a national non-profit that delivers programs to inspire inclusion and encourage active citizenship. They also partnered with Toronto Ward Museum, an online museum that details the experiences of immigrant communities in Toronto.</p> <p>The ICC will be hosting 75 community citizenship ceremonies across the country this year.</p> <p>鈥淲e look for cultural spaces that open to the public, that are warm and welcoming,鈥 said Salima Jaffer, manager of partners for the ICC鈥檚 Building Citizenship program. 鈥淲e really look for a place that has a strong engagement with their community, and 茄子直播 Scarborough does absolutely fit that.鈥</p> <p>ICC ceremonies include their unique roundtable discussions. Before receiving their citizenship certificate, attendees sit in small groups and share their journeys to Canada, and their hopes and dreams as Canadian citizens. The discussions are facilitated by community leaders, after which one person from each group shares for one minute what their table discussed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__5754 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="417" src="/sites/default/files/2017-08-25-citizenship-table-resized.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="625" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Melanie Blackman (left), a community development coordinator at 茄子直播 Scarborough, took part in Friday's citizenship ceremony (photo by Ken Jones)&nbsp;</em></p> <p>"A moment like this is really quite transformative for new citizens,鈥 Jaffer said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 giving them an opportunity to think about why Canada is important to them, why they chose Canada, and what is special about this country.鈥</p> <p>Wilton Gillard, who comes from Trinidad and Tobago, said&nbsp;the discussions were an opportunity to reflect and learn about one another.</p> <p>鈥淲e talked about being Canadian 鈥 to be able to travel freely, to be able to live in peace, to be able to learn and enjoy each other and defend each other,鈥 Gillard said. 鈥淲e stand up for what鈥檚 right, no matter our background.鈥</p> <h4><a href="/news/almost-500-sworn-citizens-u-ts-convocation-hall-including-undergrad-and-professor">Read about a previous citizenship ceremony at Convocaion Hall</a></h4> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 25 Aug 2017 20:00:33 +0000 rasbachn 113560 at Almost 500 sworn in as citizens at 茄子直播's Convocation Hall 鈥 including undergrad and professor /news/almost-500-sworn-citizens-u-ts-convocation-hall-including-undergrad-and-professor <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Almost 500 sworn in as citizens at 茄子直播's Convocation Hall 鈥 including undergrad and professor</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-02-08T05:43:55-05:00" title="Monday, February 8, 2016 - 05:43" class="datetime">Mon, 02/08/2016 - 05:43</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Yaser Nabib (pictured here with Vice-President and Provost Cheryl Regehr) is in his first year of civil engineering at 茄子直播 (all photos by Johnny Guatto)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/alan-christie" hreflang="en">Alan Christie</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Alan Christie</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergrad" hreflang="en">Undergrad</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/student" hreflang="en">Student</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president" hreflang="en">President</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty" hreflang="en">Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/con-hall" hreflang="en">Con Hall</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/computer-science" hreflang="en">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/citizenship" hreflang="en">Citizenship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/chancellor" hreflang="en">Chancellor</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/canada" hreflang="en">Canada</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">鈥淚 love the country of my birth but I love Canada,鈥 Suzanne Stevenson says. 鈥淚t has the social values that I admire.鈥</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Becky Upfold sat on the steps inside Convocation Hall, keeping a watchful eye on 16-month-old Elsie, who has a tendency to wander. Elsie will learn when she鈥檚 older just how special the day was for her mom.&nbsp;</p> <p>Upfold was one of 487 people who became Canadian citizens at a ceremony at the historic venue on Feb. 6. It was special not only because it was the first-ever swearing-in at the downtown Toronto campus, but because of the direct connections of some of the people to the university 鈥 including a faculty member and a student.</p> <p>It was a day when bursting with pride was not simple hyperbole; a day when waving a tiny Canadian flag was done with enthusiasm and vigour and when taking a selfie was anything but&nbsp;self-indulgent behaviour.</p> <p><img alt="photo of new citizen taking selfie" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-06-Swearing-In-selfie.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px; margin: 10px 20px;"></p> <p>It was a day when <em>O Canada</em> was belted out, not mumbled.&nbsp;</p> <p>But most of all it was a day about family.</p> <p>President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>, while congratulating everyone, noted how many families were in attendance. We are all fortunate, Gertler said 鈥渢o live in this wonderful country,鈥 and the country is also fortunate to have new citizens, who become a 鈥渟ource of our nation鈥檚 strength.鈥</p> <p>The ceremony has 鈥渟pecial significance for the University of Toronto and the Toronto region&nbsp;more generally,鈥 Gertler said.&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淥ur community, like Canada itself, reflects the diversity of the world. More than half of Toronto residents were born outside Canada and more than half of our students identify as so-called visible minorities.鈥</p> <h2><a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/photo_gallery?photoset_id=72157664467804605">See a photo gallery of the ceremony</a></h2> <p>Upfold came to Canada in May, 2011 from Britain. Her husband Chris, seven-year-old son Stanley and Elsie are all Canadian. She said 鈥渋t is so lovely that all of our family now is Canadian. It is a privilege to become one.鈥 &nbsp;Elsie, when not exploring through people鈥檚 bags, took a Canadian flag from Chancellor <strong>Michael Wilson</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="photo of baby and chancellor" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-08-baby-chancellor.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px; margin: 10px 20px;"></p> <p><strong>Yaser Nabib</strong>, 18, was there with his mom Iftasum, both becoming citizens after arriving here from Bangladesh five years ago. Nabib is in first year of civil engineering at 茄子直播. &nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of him,鈥 Iftasum said. 鈥淗e is a really good student.鈥</p> <p><strong>Suzanne Stevenson</strong>, born in Virginia, has been in Canada for 16 years. It was her son Kiva who said she should become a citizen.</p> <p>A professor of computer science at 茄子直播, Stevenson (pictured below) said she became quite emotional while being sworn in as a Canadian. 鈥淢y son said it would mean a lot to him for me to do this. I love the country of my birth but I love Canada. It has the social values that I admire.</p> <p>鈥淚 became quite emotional taking the oath, and I am quite emotional just talking about it now.鈥</p> <p><img alt="photo of Suzanne Stevenson" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-08-Swearing-In-Suzanne-Stevenson.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px; margin: 10px 20px;"></p> <p>In an email to <em>茄子直播 News</em> on Feb 8, Stevenson said that when she returned to Santa Barbara where she is on sabbatical, her husband, 茄子直播 Professor&nbsp;<strong>Sven Dickinson</strong>,&nbsp;was holding a Canadian flag. &nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淧robably the first time that has ever happened in little Santa Barbara,鈥 she said. &nbsp;</p> <p>Twenty-four-year-old Jeanette Salvador and her sister Alexis, 14, from The Philippines, were both sworn-in.&nbsp;鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y mother worked very hard for this.鈥</p> <p>It was also an emotional day for <strong>Shirley Hoy</strong>, vice-chair of the Governing Council and chair elect.&nbsp;Born in China, she said the ceremony brought back memories of when she became a citizen. Hoy (pictured below)&nbsp;said she experienced 鈥渢he undeniable challenges you have overcome to be here today.鈥</p> <p><img alt="photo of Shirley Hoy" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-06-Swearing-In-Shirley-Hoy.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px; margin: 10px 20px;"></p> <p>John McCallum, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, administered the oath the new citizens repeated, first in French, then English.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="photo of Minister McCallum and President Gertler" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-08-minister-gertler.jpg" style="width: 325px; height: 400px; margin: 10px; float: right;">Speaking before giving the oath, McCallum (pictured at right with Gertler)&nbsp;said there are 鈥渃ertain parallels鈥 between the people who are now Canadians and the 25,000 Syrian refugees Canada is accepting.</p> <p>鈥淚t tells you something about the nature of the country you are about to join,鈥 he said. The government鈥檚 plan to find homes for the refugees is a 鈥渘ational non-partisan project. It speaks to why Canada seeks out newcomers to build our country.鈥</p> <p>The civil war in Syria has created 鈥渢he worst refugee crisis for decades, and during a time when other countries are reticent to receive refugees, we are standing out as a welcoming beacon,鈥 McCallum said.</p> <p>He said 鈥渙nce you become a citizen, no one can take that away from you.鈥 All Canadians, he said, no matter how long they have been in the country, 鈥渉ave equal rights and equal responsibilities.鈥</p> <p>McCallum said it is a huge pleasure for him to take part in a citizenship ceremony, 鈥渆specially in one of Canada鈥檚 top universities.鈥</p> <p>Chancellor Wilson urged the new citizens to 鈥渓earn more about your country, read our history, vote in elections and become engaged in your community.鈥 Such things, he said, will help them get 鈥渢he full measure of being a Canadian.鈥</p> <p>Gertler said 鈥渢hroughout our history, Canada鈥檚 greatest strength has been its people. We are blessed with abundant natural resources and a favourable location on the globe, but Canadians built and continue to build this great country, its institutions and its values.鈥</p> <p>Canada, he said, 鈥渆mbraces the broadest range of people, encourages the free expression of perspectives and ideals,鈥 and the 茄子直播 community is like Canada&nbsp;in that 鈥渨e prize inclusion, respect and civility in our shared pursuit of the common goals.鈥&nbsp;</p> <p>Gertler said as he looked out upon the new Canadians and their families, 鈥淚 am immensely optimistic about our future. Your ideas, your traditions, your perspectives will make our great nation more vibrant, more dynamic, more successful and a better place for us all.鈥 &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="photo of citizens being sworn in" src="/sites/default/files/2016-02-06-Swearing-In_bottom-embed.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 414px; margin: 10px 20px;"></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2016-02-06-Swearing-In_student.jpg</div> </div> Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:43:55 +0000 sgupta 7637 at