For some, it comes after a few years of study. For others, it follows decades of living, working and raising a family in Canada.
Northumberland County recently welcomed approximately 50 new Canadians during a citizenship ceremony in Hastings, where participants took the Oath of Citizenship and officially became Canadian citizens.
The stories behind those new citizens were remarkably different.
Some came seeking educational opportunities. Others joined family members already living in Canada. Some had spent years contributing to the community as migrant workers before deciding the time was right to make their commitment official.
For Northumberland County Settlement Services Coordinator Emilio Ojeda, those different journeys often share a common destination.
Ojeda says helping newcomers settle and integrate into their communities is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.
Northumberland County Warden Bob Crate says welcoming newcomers is part of Canada’s identity. He notes that the country has been built by generations of immigrants and says communities benefit when newcomers share their cultures, traditions and experiences. Crate says he enjoys seeing cultural celebrations and learning about foods, customs and perspectives from around the world, describing diversity as one of Canada’s strengths.
Supporting newcomers is also an important part of Northumberland County’s economic development strategy.
The County’s settlement services help newcomers access housing, employment opportunities and community supports as they establish themselves in the region. Dwayne Campbell, Director of Economic Development, Planning and Strategic Initiatives, says moving to a new country is one of life’s most significant transitions. He says helping newcomers connect with housing, work and services allows them to integrate more successfully into the community and begin building their new lives.
Among those becoming citizens was Gagandeep Singh, who came to Canada from India to pursue higher education. He described Canada as a welcoming and diverse country where people have opportunities to learn from one another’s cultures while living in peace and harmony.
Others had much longer journeys.
One woman originally from Brazil said she had lived in Canada for many years before deciding the time was right to become a citizen.
For Northumberland-Clarke MP Philip Lawrence, citizenship ceremonies serve as a reminder of what many Canadians can sometimes take for granted.
While every new citizen arrives with a different story, the ceremony highlighted a common thread: the desire to build a life, raise a family and belong to a community.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
