Canada’s first Métis Citizenship Judge Welcomes New Canadians
News release
Across Canada 1,950 new will be Canadians welcomed on Canada Day
June 29, 2018 – Winnipeg, MB – New Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière will preside over her first citizenship ceremony on Canada Day, officiating at a special ceremony in Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg. Judge Carrière will welcome 50 new citizens into the Canadian family.
Across Canada, 1,950 people will become Canadians at 46 special Canada Day citizenship ceremonies on July 1, Canada’s birthday.
Canada’s first Métis citizenship judge, Suzanne Carrière, has been practising law for more than 13 years, including 8 years with the federal Department of Justice in Aboriginal Legal Services. Judge Carrière represented Canada in more than 200 hearings and settlement interviews with Indian residential school survivors as part of a dispute resolution process established to resolve claims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse suffered at the schools.
As a citizenship judge, Suzanne Carrière is responsible for making decisions on some citizenship applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the Oath of Citizenship to new citizens. She will also play an important role in promoting Canadian citizenship and civic values in communities throughout Manitoba.
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
“It is no surprise that Canada continues to be a preferred immigration destination–after all, it is one of the most welcoming, peaceful, prosperous and diverse countries in the world. I am honoured to officially welcome new members into our Canadian family, and am thrilled to be presiding my first citizenship ceremony on Canada Day. These ceremonies are a great opportunity for all Canadians, whether born here or elsewhere, to reflect on the rights we enjoy, the values we share, the responsibilities that bind us together, and to take pride in being Canadian!”
- Citizenship Judge Suzanne Carrière
“It will be an honour to participate in this special citizenship ceremony on Canada Day at Assiniboine Park. I look forward to welcoming 50 new citizens into the Canadian family on July 1, and I encourage everyone to come out and join me, and them, in this special day.
It is also my privilege to welcome Suzanne Carrière as a new citizenship judge. She brings excellent skill and knowledge to the role. I am so pleased Judge Carrière has taken on this new position as a citizenship judge.”
– Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre
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, as well as 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
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