The Canadian family got a little bigger this Canada Day, after two moving citizenship ceremonies in the Maritimes.
On Wednesday Halifax and Fredericton hosted Canadian citizenship oath ceremonies. At Halifax’s Pier 21, for years a gateway for newcomers to the country, 38 people became Canadian citizens.
Among them were Eve Wiseman and Alma Beck, a same-sex couple who came to Fredericton from the United States in search of equality.
“Part of the reason we came here was because of better rights and recognition of us a married couple,” said Wiseman.
For Jessica Bourque, who took the oath alongside them in Fredericton, it was the end of a long journey full of paperwork.
“I started with a study permit, then a work permit, then permanent residency, and then you have to have that for a certain number of years before you can apply for your citizenship,” she said.
Elvan Berez’s oath of citizenship was the culmination of a journey that began when he was a young child.
“This has been my dream since I was a little boy, to become a Canadian citizen,” said Berez, originally from the Philippines.
“I’ve been dreaming this all my life and today it is a reality.”
For many, the journey to citizenship that was completed today began with a very big first step.
“Leaving our home was a big decision to make for us, but once we got here I think it was a great decision,” said Remar San Diego, originally from the Philippines.
After the ceremony, Sanaz Movassagh, originally from Iran, took a moment to reflect on the blessings that come with her new citizenship.
“In a safe country. Good place to live. Thanks for everything from Canada,” she said.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore
