ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to welcome 50 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Winnipeg on December 9, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/BTL Commercial
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship is proud to play a role in the ongoing project of welcoming new citizens, and encouraging them to participate. Canada has been an immigrant nation since well before Confederation in 1867.
The UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (“Global Compact for Migration”) is an initiative by UN member states to co-operate in addressing the circumstances that are forcing unprecedented numbers of people from different countries to leave their homes. It also seeks to find ways to reduce the terrible risks associated with these journeys, which have led to an estimated 60 000 deaths over the last 20 years. One key aim is to help receiving nations create conditions that will allow newcomers to succeed.
The Global Compact for Migration is neither a treaty nor a convention, and it is not legally binding. But that doesn’t make it any less important. Canada should be proud to be among the 150-plus signatory nations today in Morocco. We are already leaders in many immigration best practices and we might be able to help. In fact, the standards invoked in the UN compact are already largely in place in Canada, and we have everything to gain from this international consensus. Such a humanistic approach to solving the great crisis of our age is in keeping with Canadian values.
Originally from Milano, Italy, Grazia Masi came to Canada in December of 2009. Grazia received her citizenship on Canada Day this year, and she was in the first group in all of Canada to recite the oath that day. “Very emotional!” she says.
“Canada seemed the best choice for multiculturalism and I wasn’t wrong!” Grazia says, “I wanted to live here and I had my plan ready when I moved here. It didn’t always [go] so smoothly, but in the end it worked out. Moving to Canada helped me to face a really difficult time in my life and to start a new chapter in my life. I learned a new language and made other friends and appreciated a different culture. Now I find [it] rude not keeping a door open for someone, and I say sorry often!”
In regards to the Cultural Access Pass program, Grazia says: “What a treat! I visited museums here in Toronto, [and] I visited them in Montreal and Quebec City and St. John’s. I went to a Music in the Afternoon [performance] at the Faculty of Music [at the University of Toronto], to a night at the opera, and to plays at Hart House. Every time I use the Cultural Access Pass, I am welcomed from front-of-house staff and tour guides. In addition, this program makes me feel that this country is taking the time to welcome me and give me the opportunity to explore a lot of attractions that it would be expensive to appreciate [otherwise]. I feel that CAP is a way to include everyone new and make them part of Canada. [CAP is] a welcoming experience in a welcoming country.”
Grazia believes that cultural spaces act as a special form of social inclusion: “Social inclusion lets everyone feel valued and appreciated. Cultural places are the spaces where you can create and harmonize different values. Through poetry, music, crafts, books, and so on, it is possible to understand, appreciate, and welcome different cultures and beliefs.”
“All of us [new Canadians], we have a different story and a different background. And that is our strength. The best thing is to use it to our advantage,” says Grazia. “I believe that every new Canadian wants to be part in creating a better place to live and prosper.”
About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.
Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@forcitizenship.ca
ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with the University of British Columbia to welcome 60 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Vancouver on November 6, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/Geoff Howe
The Cultural Access Pass provides members with free admission to more than 1,400 of Canada’s premier cultural attractions, as well as discounts to travel and explore during their first year of citizenship.
This month, the Esker Foundation, located in Calgary, AB, joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens as a CAP Attraction.
Esker Foundation is a privately funded contemporary art gallery located in Calgary, Canada. As a leader in the Calgary arts community, Esker Foundation connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. Founded in 2012 by Jim and Susan Hill, Esker Foundation is a new model for institutional relevance, curatorial focus, and audience engagement. Admission is free. The gallery is barrier-free.
CAP members who live in Calgary, or the surrounding area, be sure to visit to explore this gallery!
To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.
ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with the Vancouver Art Gallery to welcome 30 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Vancouver on October 10, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/Geoff Howe
This month’s CAP Spotlight focuses on Khalil Zahr, a new Canadian citizen originally from Lebanon (pictured furthest on the left).
“We came to Canada in May 2011 from Lebanon after a long career as an international civil servant working as an advisor with the United Nations. We chose Canada to settle in after retirement, where our children could pursue their tertiary education and build their future in a country that always ranked high on the scale of human development,” says Khalil. “Also, where my wife who is an experienced teacher can pursue her career. As [for] myself, Canada was always ideal home to pursue my dreams.
“I became a Canadian citizen on April 11, 2018. My life has certainly changed [for] the better thanks to the quality of life that Canada offers in its various aspects, particularly [in] the cultural, social and political spheres. I also am enjoying our new friendships that we made since coming to Canada.
“I am a freelance writer and commentator, primarily on energy, environment and socio-economic development. I also enjoy volunteer work. Since 2013, I have been a volunteer advisor on program development with a leading Canadian NGO: Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO).”
Khalil has enjoyed using his Cultural Access Pass in Ontario, as he “enjoy arts and culture and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and AGO” among others cultural attractions. “I took advantage of the many offers made through CAP, particularly the cultural events,” he says, “[Arts and culture] helps us [new Canadians] appreciate our common humanity, and its diverse expressions which is culture.”
“Canadians should know that whether old or new, all of us are one family, and Canada will always be the home for all to live and prosper,” says Kahlil. “The new Canadian citizens are simply new additions to this very special family, and this spacious and beautiful home.”
About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.
Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@forcitizenship.ca
ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with Via Rail to welcome 40 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Ottawa in October 25, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/Andrea Cardin
