Ottawa-Citizenship Week is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Canadian, celebrate the people who choose to call Canada home and recognize the Indigenous Peoples who have lived on this land since time immemorial.
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, marked the week by participating in ceremonies in Ottawa, Ontario, and in Lunenburg and Halifax, Nova Scotia, celebrating this important milestone alongside Canada's newest citizens, their families and their communities.
From April 12 to 18, over 80 citizenship ceremonies were held across the country, welcoming approximately 6,000 new citizens from 40 countries as they took the oath of citizenship-the final step in their journey to becoming Canadian-and began a new chapter in their lives.
Many ceremonies this week included the participation of an Indigenous Elder or community member, who offered a land acknowledgement, shared knowledge and a message of welcome. An important part of becoming Canadian is understanding the history and rich cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and our shared responsibility to participate in the ongoing work of reconciliation.
Throughout Citizenship Week, the Minister spoke about the importance of belonging, civic participation and our collective role in building a strong and inclusive Canada. She met with new citizens and their families, acknowledging their contributions and the part they will play in shaping the country's future.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of community engagement and active citizenship. During the ceremony in Halifax, the Minister presented a young member of the Girl Guides of Canada with a signed Girl Guides Pathfinders Building Belonging Certificate in recognition of the group's commitment to community and the values that bring Canadians together.
Canadian citizenship is more than a legal status; it is a connection to one another and to the future we are building together.
Photos of the Minister's participation in this week's citizenship ceremonies
