As Canadians reflect on sacrifices made by Canada’s veterans to keep our country safe and free, more than 4,800 individuals from over 150 countries have become Canadian citizens during Veterans’ Week, announced Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.

These new Canadian citizens were welcomed at 58 citizenship ceremonies that took place during this week, many of which were special Veterans’ Week-themed ceremonies which were attended by veterans or took place at military locations like Fort York. At all citizenship ceremonies throughout the week, new Canadian citizens were encouraged to honour our veterans by attending a Remembrance Day ceremony, visiting a local cenotaph or monument, thanking veterans, wearing a poppy or sharing a story about a loved one who has served Canada.

This week’s newest Canadian citizens joined the more than 200,000 new Canadian citizens who already received their Canadian citizenship in 2014. Recent changes to the Citizenship Act are expected to bring the processing time for Canadian citizenship applications down to less than one year and reduce the citizenship application backlog to a working inventory in 2015-2016. 

Quick facts

• For a new Canadian citizen, the citizenship ceremony marks their formal entry into Canadian society. A citizenship ceremony is a unique part of Canadian civic life. It is one of the few occasions where we formally reflect on the rights, responsibilities, privileges and benefits of being a Canadian citizen.
• During the month of November, Canadians come together to honour those who have sacrificed to make our world a safer place. Learn more atveterans.gc.ca/iremember.
• Veterans' Week takes place annually from November 5 to 11.
• Each year, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians proudly stand together to remember and recognize our veterans.
• The World Wars Commemoration period marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the Second World War.

Quote

“Canadian citizenship is highly valued, and being a Canadian citizen means embracing Canada’s traditions and values – and these values, which Canadians hold dear, are protected each and every day by our men and women in uniform. During Veterans’ Week all citizens should take the time to recognize the sacrifices made by our Veterans and those who still serve to make our world a safer place.”

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

src:news.gc.ca