New Canadians ‘feel honoured’ to take oath of citizenship this July 1st
Posted July 1, 2017 3:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – You may think of today as a day to celebrate the place where we live, but July 1st will always mean a lot more to some new Canadians.
The government held 55 special citizenship ceremonies across the country, including one in West Vancouver’s John Lawson Park where 60 people ready the oath of citizenship.
For people like Joe Tregos and his family from Mexico, it’s been a long journey to get here.
“We’re very, very happy to be part of this great country,” says Tregos, who took the oath along with his wife and two daughters.
Others like Andrew Terrado say becoming Canadian means new opportunities, but he still honours his roots.
“To be one of the Canadians, although I have the Filipino blood, I still consider Canada my home now.”
Ekaterina Gubina says she feels special to be getting her citizenship on Canada’s sesquicentennial.
“I think a lot of people are jealous,” says Gubina. “Because you are part of something. It’s not just an ordinary day, you’re part of something bigger than just an ordinary day, and you’re celebrating with the whole country.”
The ceremony highlights to those becoming Canadian the first day they decided to immigrate here, while speakers emphasized inclusiveness and diversity.
Denise Pasos says being included in one of these special ceremonies means the world to her and her family.
“We were waiting for this for so long so, finally we’re here,” says Pasos.
