Fifty immigrants from 14 countries became Canadian citizens at a special ceremony held yesterday at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Pier 21 is a National Historic Site which was the gateway to Canada for one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971. It also served as the departure point for 368,000 Canadian Military personnel during the Second World War.
Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, delivered the oath of citizenship and congratulated the new Canadians.
“Today, we welcomed 50 new citizens to the Canadian family in a poignant ceremony at Pier 21, where generations of immigrants first stepped onto Canadian soil,” said the minister. “Canada has always believed in immigration and has been strengthened by the diversity of its citizens. Those who have taken the oath of citizenship inherit the legacy of those who have come before them and the values that have defined the character and the principles of Canada.”
Among the new citizens was Tareq Hadhad, who was taking a well-earned break from his popular Peace by Chocolate business in Antigonish, Nova Scotia to fulfil his dream of becoming a Canadian citizen.
Mr Hadhad came to Canada as a Syrian refugee. In Syria, his family sold chocolates across the Middle East.
Like Mr Hadhad, many immigrants have travelled from afar, endured hardships, and worked hard to come to Canada and to obtain Canadian citizenship.
Over the last 10 years, Canada has welcomed nearly 1.7 million new Canadians. In 2018 alone, more than 175,000 people became Canadian.
Article published 16th January 2020