Joseph Lopez arrived in Canada in April of 2009 from New Zealand. He chose Canada because of its welcoming spirit towards immigrants. Joseph became a citizen on February 21, 2018. “My life has not really changed since coming to Canada – my dreams are still there,” says Joseph, “However, I am now proud to be Canadian and [am] feeling more at home.”

Joseph loves history, whether it’s reading about Canadian history or watching documentaries. Because of this, he used his Cultural Access Pass to explore Canada and its rich history. Joseph took advantage of his one-time 50% VIA Rail discount to take a trip from Vancouver to Winnipeg to Toronto and back to Saskatoon, then Vancouver. Along the way, he visited many museums and historic sites, including Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and Fort York National Historic Site.

“I have been using my Cultural Access Pass to visit museums, art galleries, [and] historic homes in Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Toronto,” tells Joseph, “Cultural places are important in acquiring your identity as a Canadian. Going to cultural places and spaces made me more attached to my new country. Knowledge makes you see Canada in a different way – it feels more like home. I value my Cultural Access Pass because it has helped me know more about my new country, Canada, [..] my home and native land!”

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

John Albin and Geraldine Arceo immigrated to Canada in November 2012 from Pampanga, Philippines. Their first goal was to settle down; establish a stable, happy family; and “make new friends.”

They became citizens on April 24, 2018. “Life became easier for us. We enjoy everything we do. We were given the chance to travel [easily with Canadian passports]. [We are] enjoying all the privileges and opportunities for a healthy future,” says Geraldine.

John and Geraldine love spending time outdoors with their family. “[We] live and enjoy healthy lifestyles,” says Geraldine, “We love camping, road tripping, and adventures.”

John and Geraldine are taking full advantage of their Cultural Access Passes—they have visited museums, national parks and provincial parks with their CAP cards. They also plan on traveling with their family before their CAP cards expire next month.

Geraldine remarks, “Becoming a Canadian citizen is like finding a new and better home.”

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

Noaman Ahmed received his Canadian citizenship on February 5, 2018 with his family. Noaman had more than 12 years of oil and gas experience when he arrived in Canada in 2013, which motivated him and his family to move from Pakistan to Calgary.

Reflecting on 2018, Noaman says that it was a “fantastic year” for his family. In addition to receiving their Canadian citizenship, they visited their home country of Pakistan; Noaman completed his Master’s degree from the University of Calgary; and they have used their Canoo (formerly known as Cultural Access Pass) cards to visit many places in Alberta. In addition to using their Canoo (CAP) cards to visit popular attractions such as the TELUS Spark science centre and the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Noaman and his family also received free tickets to the 2018 Calgary Stampede from the Canoo (Cultural Access Pass) program.

Noaman notes that his family loves hiking and camping, something that they started doing when they moved to Canada. He and his family have used their Canoo (CAP) cards to visit parks such as Jasper National Park. They “simply loved it.”

In regards to the Canoo (Cultural Access Pass) program, Noaman says that it feels like Canada is investing in his family as new citizens and wants them to learn about the rich Canadian culture and heritage. “Even the staff at these locations congratulate us on becoming citizens!” he explains. “[Canoo is an] awesome experience; after waiting for four years for our citizenship, this is an excellent gift. [I am] thoroughly enjoying it with my family.

“We as new Canadian citizens have sacrificed a lot for this citizenship,” says Noaman, “Leaving your country, loved ones, job, [and] friends is not easy. And because of all these sacrifices, we respect and value this citizenship and will do all it takes to grow and prosper [in] our new home, Canada.”

Meet Canoo member Jacqulin Chrystal, who became a Canadian citizen this year.

“I chose Canada because this country is world-renowned as a thriving economy with the most beautiful natural splendour and having a strong humanitarian culture,” says Jacqulin. “It is such a privilege to know that I now have a voice in choosing who will lead and steward this beautiful country of Canada!

“What I love most about Canada is the majestic beauty of nature from coast to coast to coast [and] the Canadian way of being tolerant, law-abiding and polite.”

Her favourite place to visit with her Canoo app is the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa. “The very varied history of Canada is fascinating,” says Jacqulin, “Although I probably only managed to see about a quarter of the exhibits at the museum, I was captivated by the detailed information about each of the museum artifacts.

“Understanding another’s culture and how it has evolved enables one to appreciate the background and history that have formed each sector of society. It is imperative in a multicultural society that tolerance of each other’s culture is demonstrated, within the boundaries of ascribing to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“I am so grateful to Canoo for giving me the opportunity in this first year of being Canadian to visit museums, art galleries, other cultural places, as well as the national parks, so that my heart will understand and come to love my new country as my own!”

Originally from Milano, Italy, Grazia Masi came to Canada in December of 2009. Grazia received her citizenship on Canada Day this year, and she was in the first group in all of Canada to recite the oath that day. “Very emotional!” she says.

“Canada seemed the best choice for multiculturalism and I wasn’t wrong!” Grazia says, “I wanted to live here and I had my plan ready when I moved here. It didn’t always [go] so smoothly, but in the end it worked out. Moving to Canada helped me to face a really difficult time in my life and to start a new chapter in my life. I learned a new language and made other friends and appreciated a different culture. Now I find [it] rude not keeping a door open for someone, and I say sorry often!”

In regards to the Cultural Access Pass program, Grazia says: “What a treat! I visited museums here in Toronto, [and] I visited them in Montreal and Quebec City and St. John’s. I went to a Music in the Afternoon [performance] at the Faculty of Music [at the University of Toronto], to a night at the opera, and to plays at Hart House. Every time I use the Cultural Access Pass, I am welcomed from front-of-house staff and tour guides. In addition, this program makes me feel that this country is taking the time to welcome me and give me the opportunity to explore a lot of attractions that it would be expensive to appreciate [otherwise]. I feel that CAP is a way to include everyone new and make them part of Canada. [CAP is] a welcoming experience in a welcoming country.”

Grazia believes that cultural spaces act as a special form of social inclusion: “Social inclusion lets everyone feel valued and appreciated. Cultural places are the spaces where you can create and harmonize different values. Through poetry, music, crafts, books, and so on, it is possible to understand, appreciate, and welcome different cultures and beliefs.”

“All of us [new Canadians], we have a different story and a different background. And that is our strength. The best thing is to use it to our advantage,” says Grazia. “I believe that every new Canadian wants to be part in creating a better place to live and prosper.”

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.

This month’s CAP Spotlight focuses on Khalil Zahr, a new Canadian citizen originally from Lebanon (pictured furthest on the left).

“We came to Canada in May 2011 from Lebanon after a long career as an international civil servant working as an advisor with the United Nations. We chose Canada to settle in after retirement, where our children could pursue their tertiary education and build their future in a country that always ranked high on the scale of human development,” says Khalil. “Also, where my wife who is an experienced teacher can pursue her career. As [for] myself, Canada was always ideal home to pursue my dreams.

“I became a Canadian citizen on April 11, 2018. My life has certainly changed [for] the better thanks to the quality of life that Canada offers in its various aspects, particularly [in] the cultural, social and political spheres. I also am enjoying our new friendships that we made since coming to Canada.

“I am a freelance writer and commentator, primarily on energy, environment and socio-economic development. I also enjoy volunteer work. Since 2013, I have been a volunteer advisor on program development with a leading Canadian NGO: Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO).”

Khalil has enjoyed using his Cultural Access Pass in Ontario, as he “enjoy arts and culture and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and AGO” among others cultural attractions. “I took advantage of the many offers made through CAP, particularly the cultural events,” he says, “[Arts and culture] helps us [new Canadians] appreciate our common humanity, and its diverse expressions which is culture.”

“Canadians should know that whether old or new, all of us are one family, and Canada will always be the home for all to live and prosper,” says Kahlil. “The new Canadian citizens are simply new additions to this very special family, and this spacious and beautiful home.”

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

I first visited Canada in 1984 during my graduate studies on Canadian literature and spent some time with Margaret Atwood at her home in Toronto. I returned the following two summers when I eventually met my husband and returned to Berlin married. I immigrated in 1987, had two daughters and worked various jobs until I settled on a career in the utility sector, which I retired from after 22 years in 2016.

I became a Canadian citizen this April after having lived here for 32 years. I waited this long because Germany usually does not accept dual citizenship and I wanted to keep my EU passport so my children can have both for life. I recently found out that acquiring an exception from Germany was becoming easier and could be achieved without a lawyer so I finally finished the paperwork. I find crossing the border to be much easier with a Canadian passport!

I have a lot of hobbies like cross stitching, knitting, crocheting, beadwork, reading, scrap booking, etc. My husband and I love traveling so we spend a lot of time exploring this country and the rest of the world.

I think the CAP [card] is a fantastic idea. We have been to several concerts with our free tickets from CAP and went to Banff National Park. I plan to visit the Bell Music Centre, TELUS Spark and Fort Calgary in the near future. I love art and museums: they teach about the diversity of our cultures and the history that formed this country. They also provide a chance to learn from past mistakes and ensure that Indigenous culture survives. I look forward to many more travels and would love to explore the eastern provinces some more.

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture. It’s time to shift CAP to the digital age. Support the ICC.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca

To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.

Oksana Taran immigrated to Canada with her family in May of 2013 from the Ukraine. “Our goal was to find a new place where we all [could] be happy,” says Oksana. She and her family received their Canadian citizenship five years later in May of 2018.

Oksana and her husband have enjoyed using their Cultural Access Pass (CAP) cards when traveling with their children both inside and outside of their home province, Manitoba. They have already used their CAP cards when visiting Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal in July and August this year. Oksana, her husband, and her two children (2-year-old and 9-year-old) have enjoyed visiting museums on their travels, making the most out of their CAP cards. Oksana says that visiting these cultural spaces has “absolutely” made her family feel welcomed as new Canadian citizens. “I have learned a lot about Canadian history when visiting museums,” says Oksana. “I believe that cultural places such as museums, exhibitions, historical buildings and many others play a significant role in building social inclusion.”

On the future, Oksana says she looks forward to continuing her travels Canada. “We are proud to be Canadian citizens. Our plan is to visit other beautiful Canadian provinces in the near future… Let’s travel!”

About CAP: For nearly 10 years, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) has delivered the Cultural Access Pass (CAP), an innovative, best-in-class program that gives new citizens access to Canadian culture. It’s time to shift CAP to the digital age. Support the ICC.

Be featured in our newsletter: Tag CAP and use the hashtag #CAPCanada in your social media posts for your chance to be the next CAP member or alumni featured, or send an email to cap@inclusion.ca