‘We welcome diversity’: Sajjan celebrates 60 new Canadians
Posted July 1, 2018 5:32 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It was a day some had only ever dreamed of. Sixty people were sworn in as Canadians at a citizenship ceremony held at Canada Place today.
Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan welcomed the new Canadians, and said despite growing tensions in the US, Canada will continue to be an accepting society.
“We are very proud of our values here in Canada. We demonstrate what we represent. Multiculturalism is important for us. It’s a reminder to us, always, to focus on the special values that we hold so dear. It’s a reflection to the rest of the world that Canada will remain an open society and respective of all.”
This comes after numerous protests against Trump’s controversial immigration policy took place in both Canada and the United States last week.
Sajjan says despite cultural and religious differences, Canada offers a safe place for people from around the world to call home.
“We welcome that diversity. More importantly, we welcome that they celebrate their own culture and their heritage here in Canada. That’s what makes us unique.”
At the ceremony, as friends and family watched as their loved ones took the Oath of Citizenship, Sajjan reflected on his own immigration to Canada.
“When I saw those kids become citizens, what are they going to be in the future? I remember coming to Canada when I was five years old and never in my wildest dreams did I think i would be able to serve my country, be a police officer and now be the Minister for National Defense. So when I look at them I look at the future. In this country, anything is possible.”
