A celebration of culture and diversity at Toronto Newcomer Day
18.05.2017
Monday May 15th marked the City of Toronto’s third annual Newcomer Day. It was a day of celebration and an example of a city coming together to stand up for […]
Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Newcomer Day
In celebration of Newcomer Day in Toronto, the ICC hosted an Enhanced Citizenship Ceremony in Toronto at Nathan Phillips Square where 49 individuals became new Canadian citizens.
Number of New Citizens
Number of Countries
The ceremony kicked off with Grandmother Kim, who championed the significance of preserving Indigenous heritage and shared an emotional prayer over everyone in the space. The event featured distinguished guests who offered their profound perspectives. Among them, Jeanne Hwang Lam, a generous donor, graciously shared her story with the audience which initiated candidates and attendees alike sharing their journeys, aspirations and experiences with the group.
“Thank you, ICC, for this ceremony. It is very special.”
– New Canadian citizen
These sentiments summarize the significance of the moment, as everyone embraced the sense of belonging and unity in their new home country.
After finally receiving their certificates, the newly sworn-in Canadian citizens relished a captivating performance by poet and singer-songwriter Lena Recollet. The ceremony culminated with all 49 new citizens, their guests, and onlookers proudly uniting in singing our national anthem in both official languages at the center of Nathan Phillips Square. Guided by the remarkable Sharonne Ngbilo, this marked a momentous occasion as many raised their voices as Canadians for the very first time.
As the vibrant Newcomer Day concluded at the heart of Toronto, everyone rejoiced in the inclusivity and acceptance that defines our nation. This ceremony was not just a legal formality but an experience to share the diversity of cultures and experiences that enrich our Canadian identity.
To view photos of the Citizenship Ceremony, click here.
With ICC’s Enhanced Citizenship Ceremonies, established Canadians have the ability to connect with new citizens building stronger community relationships. If you are interested in volunteering as a roundtable host at one of our ceremonies, please contact ceremonies@inclusion.ca.
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A celebration of culture and diversity at Toronto Newcomer Day
18.05.2017
Monday May 15th marked the City of Toronto’s third annual Newcomer Day. It was a day of celebration and an example of a city coming together to stand up for […]
Year in Review 2022
10.01.2023
2022 was a year of expansion and innovation for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (the ICC). The ICC worked with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to host more than 60 ceremonies, welcoming 4,739 newcomers into our Canadian family. Additionally, Canoo, our one-of-a-kind app that gives newcomers free VIP access to +1,400 of Canada’s best cultural and outdoor experiences, saw remarkable growth and has the highest number of activated accounts since launching in 2019.
Meet Canoo member Olabode Samuel Adegbayike
04.08.2021
Meet Olabode Samuel Adegbayike who is a new Canadian citizen passionate about the indigenous culture.His intention is to learn more about Indigenous cultures through the Canoo app.