As of today, 12:30 p.m., I am officially Canadian!
We arrived at the Sciences and Technology Museum around 11:00 a.m. It didn’t start very well—it was raining and we queued in the dark because of a power outage. Have you ever tried to sign a stack of papers with the help of a flashlight? Not my best signature, I bet. I signed the media release (because the ceremony could be taped), I certified I wasn’t a criminal, I handed out my permanent resident card and I was finally allowed to step into the museum’s auditorium. Feng and my friends sat at the back and I was at the front, along with all 117 citizens-to-be from 49 countries.
We waited in the dark for a while but eventually, the power came back. Phew. The clerk introduced herself and we all rose for the judge, Her Honour Suzanne Pinel, to enter.
The judge’s speech, part of it in French and part of it in English, was very moving. She welcomed us all in Canada and stressed on our new rights and responsibilities. She also acknowledged that the road to come to Canada may have been difficult and she thanked us for choosing it as our new home: “you can be whatever you want here and you have already succeeded to me,” she said.
Citizenship Court Judge led everyone in reciting the Oath of Citizenship, as we all stood, the right hand risen:
I swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.
Then, we all received our citizenship certificate, the citizenship card, a small Canada pin and a Canadian flag from the judge. We even got free museum passes! Judge Pinel took the time to congratulate us all one by one and said something nice to each of us.
We all rose again to sing “O Canada,” the national anthem… my first time singing it as a Canadian. Judge Pinel invited all the kids to come on stage to sing (she is also a famous children’s entertainer!) and I saw a few wet eyes here and there.
No more permanent resident card for me. I’m now the proud owner of a Canadian citizenship card, plus a letter from M. Harper (I definitely wouldn’t vote for him but anyway…). Next step? Changing my SIN card next week, and applying for a Canadian passport.
Can you believe that? I’m Canadian! Thank you, Canada, for adopting me—I promise I’ll be a good citizen.
Congratulations.
Pardon me for not following your how to be Canadian citizen series, but how long does it take to be a Canadian citizen? Here in Denmark it takes 9 years to be a citizen and it’s not easy.
Congratulations ! It must be feeling something different now.
Congratulations my dear !!!
Canada’s newest citizen is looking good. I’m proud of you !
Grosses bises xxxx
Yes, it is emotional to see people to receive their citizenship. Yet, I wonder where and what some were thinking. I see the fotos and see how some were dressed. Where in heaven’s name did they think they were going? To the pub? The garbage dump? One’s dress, even when poor, reflect the importance of the activity one is engaged in. They seem to be oblivious to the importance of the Citizenship ceremony. HM must be appaled.
Congratulations Zhu! You look radiant and very happy!
Congratulations! You look so happy, hehe! 😀 May you have a wonderful life there. 😀
Congratulations Girl 🙂
I love these pictures, you look so happy 🙂
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you 🙂
Sounds like a very nice ceremony and I’m so happy for you!
I’m sure Canada will be proud of you – you’ve been a very good ambassador for long!
@the writer – It’s easier in Canada I think. It takes 1095 days of physical presence in Canada as a permanent resident. Basically, you can hope to apply for citizenship after 4 or 4 years in Canada, plus one year processing time. I have been in Canada longer than that but I was on work visa at first, not a permanent resident.
@Cuckoo – It feels… home.
@barbara – Thank you Barbara!
@DANIEL WILLIAM SULLIVAN – All maybe one of two citizens were dressed nicely, as far as I saw yesterday. But everyone has a different point of view on that… also note that the ceremony is at 11:30, so a lot of people may have to rush back to work after etc. I wish I could have had a nice little dress (I actually considered it) but it was cold and rainy, plus I knew I wouldn’t be going straight back home after and there were no way I could spend the day were just this dress! So it’s a mix between looking proper for this occasion and being practical…
@Guillermo – Gracias!
@Lizz – I am happy, and I think it shows.
@Agnes – THank you!
@Bluefish – Thank you chère montréalaise!
@RennyBA – Thank you Renny. I hope to continue showing my love for this country, the same way you do it with Norway!
Congratulations on your new citizenship. How nice that they have a ceremony. I don’t think they do that in Norway. It looks nice except for the little power failure 🙂
Congratulations on your citizenship. I’ve been reading your blog for a while (since you’re in Brazil). I am also an immigrant living in Toronto. I’ve been in Canada over the last 6 years and I did not apply for my citizenship yet! I’m just lazy 🙂
Congratulations Zhu! 🙂
Congratulations! I’ve been sworn in a couple of times (the second time because my friend lost my Canadian Citizenship card and I needed to get a speedy replacement to get my passport), the first time was when I was a kid but I thought it was pretty exciting! I *still* think it’s exciting!
I hope to congratulate you in person later this month (still working on a date).
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like it was a lovely ceremony. I’m so glad that all of your hard work to become a citizen has paid off! Hope you spend the rest of July celebrating! You deserve it.
Congrats Zhu
Congratulations! Canada will be proud of you. I wish you all the very best of everything. Truly you can be whatever you wish to be.
@DianeCA – I was glad there was a ceremony actually, because it is an important milestone in the life of many immigrants.
@Gean Oliveira – Do it! Actually, I think Canadians need a visa to go to Brazil… so keep your Brazilian passport as well if you can 😆
Nice meeting you. I went on your blog and I liked it! Prazer em conhecê-lo (please, tell me I haven’t forgotten all my Portuguese!)
@Priyank – Thank you!
@Gail at Large – Oh, I can’t wait for you to come! I actually got a Nikon D-60, we could take pictures, have coffee… oh, please come! 🙂
@Soleil – Thank you! To be honest, I will have to get used to the fact I changed citizenship 😆
@Nigel – THank you! 😉
@Bill Miller – Thank you so much! I’m trying my best 😉
Congatulation Zhu!
congrats! felicitaciones, senorita! good for u! 🙂
Wow! Congratulations!
Congratulations! Do you feel different?
Awesome! What a great country, good for you! Go have a Molson to celebrate!
@Rémy – Thank you!
@kyh – Muchas gracias! 😉
@Linguist-in-Waiting – Thank you!
@Liz – I feel… happy! I am what I am, but it’s like closing a chapter in a book. Being a permanent resident was cool but I wanted to be a full Canadian.
@Jonathan – I wish, I just don’t like beer! 😆 Will a Tim Hortons do?
Congratulations, Zhu!!! (Sorry it took me so long to come over…)
@Gabriel – Thank you! Don’t worry, I know you were busy with football watching 😉
Suhweeeet!!!
Congratulations – and bienvenue!!!
@Seb – 🙂
@Brenda – Merci! Let me know if you guys come to Ottawa, we will find a way to celebrate!
Good for you Zhu !!! We need more people like you here.
All the best,
Rick
Thank you 🙂