Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Celebrating Canadian Identity: Citizenship Week Concludes with Virtual Ceremony
May 27, 2022—Ottawa, Ontario — Citizenship Week serves as a momentous occasion for Canadians domestically and globally to celebrate the nation's rich history, diverse culture, and significant achievements.
In a fitting conclusion to this year's Citizenship Week, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, participated in a virtual citizenship ceremony. This event, organized in collaboration with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, marked the official welcoming of 25 new Canadians, each taking their Oath of Citizenship in a heartfelt ceremony.
Celebrating Canadian Citizenship
During the event, Minister Fraser highlighted the profound importance of Canadian citizenship. He emphasized the rights and freedoms it guarantees, alongside the responsibilities it entails. The Minister also addressed the ongoing efforts to assist individuals and families aspiring to join the Canadian citizenry, assuring them that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is committed to expediting their journey to citizenship.
Meeting and Exceeding Goals
The IRCC's diligent efforts have borne fruit, as Canada surpassed its citizenship targets for the 2021-2022 period, welcoming over 217,000 new citizens. This achievement sets a promising precedent for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with plans to welcome even more.
In pursuit of these goals, the IRCC has been modernizing its approach to citizenship services. Notably, on November 26, 2020, Canada became one of the pioneering nations to offer online citizenship testing. This innovation, coupled with the swift adaptation to COVID-19 through virtual ceremonies initiated in April 2020, has significantly enhanced the accessibility of citizenship proceedings. As a result, more individuals can now take citizenship tests and participate in ceremonies than was previously possible before the pandemic.
A Milestone in the Immigration Journey
Achieving Canadian citizenship represents a significant milestone in any newcomer's journey. The IRCC remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating this process, ensuring that as many individuals as possible can attain this cherished status. Backed by additional funding from the 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update, efforts to reduce the application backlog accumulated during the pandemic are ongoing.
In conclusion, Citizenship Week not only underscores the pride in being Canadian but also reaffirms the nation's dedication to welcoming new citizens. As Canada continues to build on its successes, the future looks bright for those seeking to become a part of this diverse and dynamic country.
