Ottawa, June 22, 2009 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today welcomed Olympic hopeful Kaitlyn Weaver as a Canadian citizen.
Ms. Weaver received her citizenship at a ceremony in Kitchener, Ontario, today after a special grant of citizenship issued by the federal cabinet. This will enable her to be eligible to represent Canada at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, 2010.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am proud to welcome Kaitlyn Weaver as a Canadian,” Minister Kenney said. “Our citizenship is one of the most valuable things we can possess. Ms Weaver has made, and will continue to make, an exceptional contribution to Canada, and I am very pleased to be able to honour her commitment.”
“Today is the day that we, former immigrants, can continue our lives as Canadian citizens,” Kaitlyn Weaver said. “Each one of us has traveled from far and near to this country for different reasons, but I’m willing to bet that our goals were common. We have come to Canada to live and dream freely, happily, and with the welcoming embrace of the best people in the world. As citizens of Canada, we will become accustomed to Canadian culture, but also contribute things from our own backgrounds.”
Ms. Weaver is an ice-dancer who, together with her Canadian partner, Andrew Poje, has competed for Canada at numerous international skating events since 2006, including the World Championships.
Ms. Weaver and Mr. Poje were silver medalists at the 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and they hope to qualify for the 2010 Games. In addition to her outstanding athletic contributions, Ms. Weaver is an excellent student and active community volunteer.
The Citizenship Act contains a special provision that allows the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada by issuing a grant of citizenship like Ms. Weaver’s.
Ms. Weaver obtained citizenship at a ceremony with 47 other new Canadians, from 24 different countries. She was born in Texas in 1989 and has been living in Canada since 2006.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations Unit
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca