This year, hundreds of new Canadian citizens will once again experience The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! thanks to a generous gift from the Calgary Stampede. This year’s special offer gives 500 Cultural Access Pass (CAP) members a pair of free gate passes to the ten-day celebration of western heritage, culture, and community spirit.
CAP members and their guests will experience the thrilling action of the rodeo, the thunder of the GMC Rangeland Derby, exciting midway rides, nightly fireworks, and live music.
“Calgary Stampede is an important Canadian cultural event,” said Yasmine Mohamed, Manager of the ICC’s Cultural Access Pass. “We’re thrilled that the Stampede continues to welcome new Canadian citizens and create opportunities for them to celebrate with their friends and community.”
“We are pleased to continue to support the Cultural Access Pass program and welcome new Canadians to Stampede,” said Larry Lalonde, group manager, Community Engagement & Communications. “We want everyone to be able to participate in our community celebration.” Calgary Stampede runs from July 7-16, 2017. For more information visit www.calgarystampede.com.
The only program of its kind in the world, the ICC’s Cultural Access Pass gives new Canadian citizens the chance to explore, travel, and discover Canada during their first year of citizenship. The program depends entirely on a network of dedicated partners and supporters. For more information, visit culturalaccesspass.ca.
Ernesto, a lawyer, arrived in Canada from Venezuela in 2003 and just over a decade later in the summer of 2016 he became a Canadian citizen. Passionate about people, giving back, and contributing to his community, Ernesto and his family have dedicated themselves to actively volunteering and sharing the importance of helping others. His daughter was recently honoured at her high school graduation with an award from Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, the honorable Elizabeth Dowdeswell for 2,500 hours of volunteering!
As someone with an interest in history and curiosity for people, Ernesto has said the Cultural Access Pass program has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about the history of Canada to feel closer to his new home. The Royal Ontario Museum has been a favourite attraction for this Toronto-based family, particularly the newest exhibit, Out of the Depths: The Blue Whale Story (on now until September 4th, 2017). Ernesto has valued his experience with CAP, and has said visiting these cultural attractions and allowing people to connect over similar interests in art and culture is the first step to build a more inclusive society.
Ernesto’s plans for the future as a Canadian citizen are to continue lending support to others with his volunteer work, practicing law, and continuing to explore Canada’s many cultural attractions with his family.
View the July CAP Members’ Newsletter, where Ernesto’s profile originally appeared
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. It’s time to shift CAP to the digital age. Support the ICC.
Yesterday, we continued our partnership with Luminato, and came together for the fourth year to once again celebrate citizenship, community, and culture by hosting a community citizenship ceremony as part of the 2017 festival. This year’s ceremony took place in the famous Spiegeltent in David Pecaut Square in downtown Toronto, a stunning venue to celebrate 29 new Canadian citizens!
Steve Paikin (from TVO’s The Agenda) presided over the ceremony that included traditional Indigenous dancers Leanne Enoose and her daughter Alexandria, as well as Maryem and Ernie Tollar who beautifully performed O Canada and gave a moving performance following the ceremony into the reception.
We had the privilege to hear several remarkable Canadians share their own personal stories of immigration; CBC’s Marivel Taruc who spoke of her journey to Canada from the Philippines 37 years ago and experiencing her first Canadian winter. As well as sharing stories we also heard many congratulations from notable speakers that included MPP Cheri DiNovo who welcomed 29 new citizens to “the Canadian family”. Luminato’s CEO Anthony Sargent remarked, “You’ve been engaged to Canada for several years. Today is the wedding!”, likening the significance of a citizenship ceremony to that of a wedding.
Overall, it was a joyous day of celebrating all that we most value as Canadians, with incredible performances, moving speeches, and a strong sense of community. Steve Paikin put it simply, “We have 29 new Canadian citizens now. Brilliant!”
ICC Community Citizenship Ceremony in partnership with Luminato Festival
June 20th, 2017 – The Famous Spiegeltent in David Pecaut Square, Toronto ON
Photos: ICC/Alyssa K. Faoro
Click here for more photos.
For more information on partnering with the ICC to host a community citizenship ceremony, email us: ceremonypartnerships@forcitizenship.ca
Passionate about nature and wide open spaces, Régis and Mathilde came from France to settle in Canada in 2009, and became Canadian citizens in 2016. Both Mathilde and Régis live in Montreal, a city which they describe as one of the most beautiful in the world. Mathilde holds a master’s degree in modern art’s and works at an aid agency for women. Régis holds a master’s degree in computer multimedia. He works as a Technical Director for his own business, which he founded in 2014. Lovers of travel and Canada, they help future newcomers by sharing their experiences and their advice through their travel blog; OmniTerra. Their favourite CAP attraction is the Museum of Fine Arts, in their hometown Montreal. Follow their adventures through their blog, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.
View the June CAP Members’ Newsletter, where Régis and Mathilde’s profile originally appeared
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. It’s time to shift CAP to the digital age. Support the ICC.
Monday May 15th marked the City of Toronto’s third annual Newcomer Day. It was a day of celebration and an example of a city coming together to stand up for diversity and commitment to inclusion. This is the second year that the Institute for Canadian Citizenship has proudly partnered with the City of Toronto to include a community citizenship ceremony as part of the day’s event. These strong partnerships produce significant public events that embody what we believe as Canadians; our differences only make us stronger. As one new citizen explained during the celebrations, “We’ve got different languages, different experiences, and that’s what Canada means to me.”
The day began in the City of Toronto’s council chambers where special roundtable discussions were held by the ICC. Elder Cat Criger opened the discussion by stating the significance of gathering in a circle, and how that action allows us to truly hear one another as equals, “Our people sit in a circle. All heads at the same height. All treated with respect. All have a voice.” Roundtable discussions are a unique part of ICC citizenship ceremonies and involve active members of the community engaging in discussions with new Canadian citizens on what citizenship means to them, and allow them an opportunity to share their stories and aspirations as new citizens.
Following the roundtables, candidates for citizenship were brought outside to Nathan Phillips Square for Mayor John Tory’s official Newcomer Day proclamation. Following Mayor Tory the excited crowd heard personal stories of immigration and inspiring speeches on inclusion and identity from community leaders like Zabeen Hirji, Chief Human Resources Officer at RBC, who stated, “Being Canadian means I can have a multidimensional identity. I don’t have to choose.” Friends and family were also treated to a variety of performances from the Nai Syrian Children’s Choir, Ubuntu Drum and Dance Theatre, and Indigenous dancer Ian Akiwenzie. These performances were a visual representation of the different cultures that come together to make Toronto a shining example of diversity. Daniele Zanotti, President and CEO of United Way, Toronto and York region, echoed these sentiments during his speech, “Our city is stronger because you are here… Our city is best when we all belong”.
Finally, the moment came, 40 individuals became Canadian citizens in front of the cheering crowd gathered in Nathan Phillips Square. Judge Albert Wong’s closing words embodied the collective feeling of all new Canadians on this day, “This is not the end of your citizenship journey. Your citizenship is an instrument to make our country even better.” Citizenship does not end after being handed your certificate, it is only the beginning of another chapter as a Canadian citizen.
ICC Community Citizenship Ceremony in partnership with the City of Toronto
May 15, 2017 – Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto ON
Photos: ICC/Alyssa K. Faoro
Click here for more photos.
For more information on partnering with the ICC to host a community citizenship ceremony, email us: ceremonypartnerships@forcitizenship.ca
