June 24, 2015 — TORONTO — Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Toronto FC Community Ambassador Dwayne De Rosario personally welcomed 30 of Canada’s newest citizens from 16 countries during a special citizenship ceremony at BMO Field today, in advance of tonight’s Major League Soccer game.
Family and friends watched on from the stands as the moving citizenship ceremony played out at field level between the home and away benches. Minister Alexander delivered a speech welcoming Canada’s newest citizens while Citizenship Judge Angelo Persichilli presided over the ceremony. Dwayne De Rosario, the all-time leading scorer for Toronto FC and the Canadian National Team, provided welcoming remarks on behalf of Toronto FC.
At the ceremony, Alexander emphasized the importance of soccer in bringing together individuals of different cultures. Tonight, these new citizens will return to the field to proudly carry the Canadian flag during the National Anthem before Toronto FC takes on Canadian rival, the Montreal Impact at BMO Field.
“As Canadians, we welcome and are proud of the growing role soccer plays in uniting individuals and communities. That is why it is so moving to welcome these new members of the Canadian family together with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and here at BMO Field, which today is truly a field of dreams for these new Canadians. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to this country’s 30 newest citizens.”
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.
