Proud to be Canadian
Joining in: Originally from Mexico, Jose Martinez followed his heart to then-Albertan Lisa. The Salmon Arm couple’s love has grown to include daughters Jaycee and Kylee.
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Updated: October 28, 2009 1:12 AM
An idea planted by one small boy blossomed into a large and joyous celebration at Bastion Elementary School.
Last Tuesday, 61 people from across the world became Canadian citizens in the school gym packed with applicants, family members, interested onlookers and Bastion students.
“That one card sure made a humungous thing,” said Principal Alan Harrison, quoting Grade 3 student Nicholas Lourens, who set the celebration in motion by giving him a business card.
Impressed by a ceremony in Vernon last June in which his grandparents assumed the rights and responsibilities of being Canadians, young Lourens asked citizenship officer Tricia Chmiel for her business card.
It was just so amazing how the people became Canadians,” said the articulate eight-year-old. “I thought we should have one at our school.”
The young students were remarkably well-behaved during the proceedings and clapped enthusiastically as each new Canadian received their proof of citizenship. They went wild in their applause for Martine Dollack, one of their own teachers.
Like several other applicants, Dollack was drawn to Canada by love.
She met and fell in love with her husband David while he was travelling in her native France.
“I came here and fell in love with the land and the history,” she said eyes glistening. “It’s very emotional.”
From the wonderful patriotic art work adorning the halls and gym, to the ceremony and speeches, the focus was on welcoming new Canadians to the fold.
Citizenship Judge George Gibault expressed pride in the fact B.C. welcomes some 28,000 new citizens to the country every year.
Flanked by RCMP Cpl. Michael Gauthier on one side and government and school board reps on the other, Gibault told the applicants that despite the gloomy weather, it would be a bright and sunny day in the history of their lives.
“We have a tradition of building Canada with people from all over the world,” he said, noting that a BBC study revealed Canada is the single most respected country in the world. “We have the highest rate of welcome in the world.”
Gibault said Canada mostly makes good choices about how citizens treat each other and people the world over.
“Fairness is one of our core values,” he said, “We try to treat people equally, no matter where they come from, who they are or what they look like.”
Advising applicants that following their oath of citizenship, every choice they made would be as Canadians, Gibault exhorted them to choose wisely.
He reminded everyone in the gym of this country’s level of freedom and loyalty to the Queen Elizabeth II, who represents our heritage of peace.
“Every step we’ve made forward has been a peaceful one,” he said. “I’m giving you a seat at the family table, the right to vote, the right to choose... Try to be the best person you can be in an uncertain world.”
Following the oath, Penny Renyk, representing MP Colin Mayes, counselled the new Canadians to be law-abiding and informed citizens.
Born in Holland, Mayor Marty Bootsma told of arriving in Canada with his family in 1951, at the age of two.
“I am always grateful to my parents for that decision, and it was a hard decision...” he said. “I wish you all the best.”
Members of the school district’s First Nations dancers group performed two numbers for the new Canadians and presented each one with a welcome gift.
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