A New Citizenship Judge Welcomes New Canadians in Scarborough
News release
Across Canada 1,950 new Canadians will be welcomed on Canada Day
June 29, 2018 – Toronto, ON – New Citizenship Judge Rodney Simmons will preside over his first citizenship ceremonies on Canada Day, officiating first at a ceremony at the Markham Civic Centre, where he will welcome 50 new Canadians, and then at the Scarborough Civic Centre, where he will welcome 60 new citizens.
The 8:30 a.m. Markham ceremony is in partnership with the City of Markham and the 12:00 noon Scarborough ceremony one is in partnership with the Scarborough Rotary Club.
Across Canada, 1,950 people will become Canadians at 46 special Canada Day citizenship ceremonies on July 1, Canada’s birthday.
Rodney Simmons has more than 30 years of experience in education, creative curriculum development and community building to advance inclusivity and diversity in school environments. Judge Simmons spearheaded educational programs for at-risk youth and equity and diversity training and holds a Master of Science in Education from Niagara University.
As a citizenship judge, Rodney Simmons is responsible for making decisions on some citizenship applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens. He will also play an important role in promoting Canadian citizenship and civic values in communities throughout Alberta and western Canada.
Citizenship judges are Governor in Council appointments. New appointees are chosen from a list of qualified candidates who have gone through an open, transparent and merit-based selection process.
Quotes
“As an immigrant myself, I am honoured and humbled to have been appointed a Citizenship judge. I am delighted to help new Canadians appreciate the privileges and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, and to encourage them to share their gifts and talents by becoming actively involved in their communities.
The opportunity to preside over my first Citizenship Ceremony on Canada Day is an unexpected gift indeed. I am confident this will be a moving and emotional celebration for the new Canadians, their guests, and the newly appointed judge as well!”
- Citizenship Judge Rodney Simmons
“I am pleased to participate in the citizenship ceremony to be held at the Markham Civic Centre on Canada Day. Canada’s identity has been shaped by the significant cultural and economic contributions of immigrants. In Canada, diversity is our strength and Canada Day is a day to celebrate that.
“I wish to extend my congratulations to Rodney Simmons on his new role as a Citizenship Judge. He brings extensive experience and knowledge to the position, and I look forward to hearing him recite the Oath of Citizenship with the 50 new Canadians.”
- The Honourable Jane Philpott, Member of Parliament for Markham–Stouffville and Minister of Indigenous Services
“This Canada Day, why not come to one of the many citizenship ceremonies being held across Canada, and celebrate along with our newest Canadians. It is a great time to reaffirm your own citizenship and to celebrate being Canadian—the rights we enjoy, the responsibilities we share, and our diversity. I hope to see some of you at the Scarborough Civic Centre, where Citizenship Judge Rodney Simmons and I will be welcoming 60 new Canadians.”
- Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt
Quick facts
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Over the last 10 years, Canada has welcomed nearly 1.7 million new Canadians.
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Citizenship ceremonies are the end of a long process of immigration, settlement and integration for a newcomer to Canada. Ceremonies are a moving and emotional celebration. Taking the Oath of Citizenship is also a necessary legal step to citizenship.
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Canada’s identity has been largely shaped by the significant cultural and economic contributions of immigrants. In Canada, diversity is our strength.
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There are now 14 citizenship judges across the country, located in Halifax, Montreal, the Greater Toronto Area, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver and Surrey, British Columbia.
Associated links
Contacts
Contacts for media only
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca