Today, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander welcomed approximately 50 new citizens from 21 countries at a special citizenship ceremony at the CIBC Taste of Asia Festival.

At the event, Alexander delivered remarks and personally welcomed the day’s newest Canadians. He also highlighted the government’s recent improvements to the Citizenship Act, which became law on June 19, 2014. These changes will reduce wait times by streamlining the decision-making process for citizenship and strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship by ensuring that new citizens are better prepared for full participation and integration into Canadian society.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently partnered with CIBC to promote and celebrate Canadian citizenship. The new partnership will promote awareness among new and established Canadians of the roles, responsibilities and privileges of being a Canadian citizen.

Quick facts

• Since 2006, Canada has enjoyed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history¾an average of a quarter million newcomers each year.
• For a new Canadian, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into the Canadian family. A citizenship ceremony is a unique part of Canadian civic life. It is one of the formal occasions when we reflect on the rights, responsibilities, and exceptional privileges of being a Canadian citizen.
• It is expected that recent changes to the Citizenship Act will bring the average processing time for citizenship applications down to under one year, and that the current backlog will be reduced by more than 80 percent by April 2016. 

Quotes

“Our government is proud to partner with CIBC in welcoming these new citizens to the Canadian family and also in celebrating the high value of Canadian citizenship. With our recent changes to the Citizenship Act passed into law last week, and Canada Day quickly approaching, I can’t think of a better time to celebrate what it means to be a Canadian citizen.”

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

“CIBC is honoured to co-host this special citizenship ceremony welcoming 50 new citizens into the Canadian family at the CIBC Taste of Asia Festival. This ceremony reminds both new and established Canadians of the values of our citizenship and the benefits of our rich cultural diversity, leading up to Canada Day.”

Steve Ho, Vice-President, CIBC

src:news.gc.ca