A New Citizenship Judge Welcomes New Canadians on Canada Day
News release
Across Canada 1,950 new Canadians will be welcomed on July 1
June 29, 2018 – Edmonton, AB – New Citizenship Judge Major Claude Villeneuve will preside over his first citizenship ceremonies on July 1, officiating first at a ceremony in Fort Edmonton Park, where he will welcome 50 new citizens, and then at Heritage Park Pavilion, in Stony Plain, welcoming another 50 new Canadians.
Across Canada, 1,950 people will become Canadians at 46 special Canada Day citizenship ceremonies on July 1, Canada’s birthday.
Major Claude Villeneuve served in the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 37 years, in the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. He completed 3 overseas deployments in Saudi Arabia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Judge Villeneuve is an Aide-de-Camp of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and a recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
As a citizenship judge, Major Villeneuve 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
“After 37 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and having the privilege to project Canadian values at home and abroad, I now have the pleasure of witnessing those who have decided to adopt these values as their own. After making many sacrifices and working hard, they finally reach this ultimate moment when, by adopting Canadian values, they become Canadian citizens. And as a Citizenship Judge, I have the humble honour of accompanying them in the Oath of Citizenship. What a great honour! I have one of the best jobs in Canada.”
- Citizenship Judge Claude Villeneuve
“I am honoured to participate in the Fort Edmonton Park Canada Day citizenship ceremony. I too was not born a Canadian. I came to Canada in 1988, and the day I became a Canadian citizen is a precious memory for me. For all of us, today is a day to see how fortunate we are. We live in a great country where equality and diversity are celebrated. Please join me in welcoming our new Canadians on Canada Day.
I am also pleased to welcome Major Claude Villeneuve as a new citizenship judge. He begins a new career as a citizenship judge following an impressive one in the Canadian military, which included deployments in Saudi Arabia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. I congratulate Judge Villeneuve on his new role.”
- The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods and the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
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