UTM citzenship ceremony welcomes new Canadians
There was laughter, a few tears and a heartfelt chorus of “O Canada” as U of T Mississauga welcomed 45 new Canadians in the first-ever citizenship ceremony on the campus.
Presided over by Judge Albert Wong, the bilingual ceremony included a recitation of the oath of citizenship in both French and English. Professor Deep Saini, vice-president, U of T, and principal, U of T Mississauga, was the featured guest at the event, which also included Peel Police auxiliary sergeant Norm Kiernander and RCMP constable Terry Russel.
“This is a commitment to a country,” Wong told the crowd. “That’s why we declare our allegiance. This ceremony helps us to integrate. You now feel you belong.”
“But this is not the end of your citizenship journey,” he continued. “This is a threshold moment. Now, your task is to see how you can actively work to make our country stronger. You have a part to play.”
Saini recalled his own citizenship journey, and the decision to give up his Indian citizenship to commit to life in Canada. A decision, he said, he has never regretted.
Wong emigrated to Canada from Malaysia in 1971, and has served as an officer with the Canadian Forces since his early 20s. During his 38-year military career, Wong has represented the county in peacekeeping and peacemaking missions around the world and has administered the citizenship oath to thousands of new Canadians.
Canada welcomed about 240,000 new citizens last year. The Scarborough office, where Wong presides, processes about 40,000 files annually.
“The ceremony moves me every time,” he said. “I look out and I see even small kids becoming Canadians. It’s not just a commitment to the land, or to the flag or to the soil. It’s actually a commitment to each other.”
Hosting the ceremony at UTM was symbolic, said Saini. “This campus is like a microcosm of Canada—we have people here who are new Canadians or international students. What better place could we think about for a ceremony to welcome new citizens?”
Wong agrees. “I’m thrilled we could do it here,” he said. “I want people to see the beauty of the campus with its medical academy and many specialized programs. I want people to see that we have this world-class institution in our own backyard.”
Each participant received a one-year Cultural Access Pass, which provides free access to more than 1,000 of the country’s national parks, museums and historical sites. Wong encouraged the audience to make a point of contributing to the arts and culture of their new country.
“The arts is a great leveler,” Wong said. “It cuts across culture, it cuts across barriers. It’s what makes us human. Here’s your opportunity. The slate is clean. You can dream the dream you want, and in achieving your dream, you make Canada stronger.”
