October 17, 2014 — Toronto, ON — At a ceremony at the Air Canada Centre hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Canadian Tire, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander welcomed 35 new citizens to the Canadian family. Alexander highlighted the government’s changes to the Citizenship Act, which encourage new citizens to form a strong attachment to Canadian values and traditions.
As Citizenship Week comes to a close, three special citizenship ceremonies are being held in conjunction with NHL games across Canada today and tomorrow. Today’s newest citizens will join in the singing of the national anthem tonight prior to the start of the game.
For new Canadians, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into the Canadian family and is a unique part of Canadian civic life. It is one of the few occasions where we formally reflect on the rights, responsibilities, privileges and benefits of being Canadian. At the ceremony today, Minister Alexander spoke to the new citizens about the importance of developing a strong attachment to Canada as key to their achieving success in their adopted country.
“As Citizenship Week draws to a close, this is an ideal time for all of us, new and established citizens, to reflect on the value of our citizenship and the importance of embracing Canada’s values and traditions. Welcoming new Canadians by involving them in Canada’s favourite sport is just one way our government is helping new citizens form a strong attachment to our great country.”
Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
