Erika Tan and her family became Canadian citizens on March 2nd, 2018, and she received her CAP card shortly afterwards.

“My family has been using the Cultural Access Pass from the moment we received it,” says Erika. “We are very grateful and this whole experience could not be any better.  We learn so much about the rich culture and history of Canada every time we visit a new place. Thank you!”

Learn about Erika Tan’s journey to citizenship and belonging in Canada in a story written by her:

A New Hope and Beyond

One Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I were learning the notes of “O Canada” on the piano. I looked at my daughter and thought about all of the great opportunities she will have in this country. As we were playing the notes, I could not help to sing the National Anthem while I reminisced about the journey my family took to come to Canada.

Unlike many fellow immigrants, my family did not flee from a war-torn country nor were we running away from any political disputes. My husband and I came to the United States as students; he from Colombia and me from Indonesia.  Although we are from opposite ends of the world, speak different first languages, and come from different cultures, the phrase “opposites attract” really applies to us. Despite, or because of, our differences, we got married and were blessed with two beautiful children.  However, after living in the country for twelve years as young professionals, we found no prospect of attaining permanent residency in America. The option of going back to either one of our home countries seemed arduous and we were afraid of losing the unique family dynamic that we already created in North America. In the midst of desperation, an opportunity to submit our permanent residency applications to Canada emerged. Despite the application process being a lot of work with many steps to follow, it went relatively smooth. After waiting for two long years, we finally received a letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada informing us that our application had been accepted.

We immediately started the process of relocating to Canada by giving away many of the belongings that we had accumulated over the last twelve years to friends and family.  We proudly secured the “For Sale” sign in front of our house ready for the next family to move in.  By the time we were ready to move, we were left with nothing but a few pieces of luggage filled with clothes, shoes, important documents, pictures, and a few treasured items. Our decision to bring only clothes to Canada was for the sake of simplicity of moving intercountry. I remember looking at the empty spaces in our old house and my heart filled with so much hope. We did not know what the future would look like at that time but somehow we knew that everything was going to be just fine.

After driving those ten long and anxiety-filled hours, we finally reached Coutts, Alberta to cross the U.S.-Canada border.  Regardless of the preparations my husband and I took as we carefully packed our belongings compactly into the car together with our small children to set our future in Canada, we worried that it was still not enough. We prepared every single document pertaining to our lives just in case the Immigration Officer had any doubts of our legitimacy. The Immigration Officer asked some routine questions at the gate such as whether we had any firearms, alcohol, or tobacco and we told the Officer that we did not bring anything except clothes. After the officer looked at our documents, we were asked to park our car and enter the office for them to process our arrival.

“Welcome to Canada,” said the Immigration Officer while stamping away at our documents without even looking up. It was not a friendly gesture, more like a robotic, habitual greeting, but we accepted it with [gratitude] nonetheless. The big, broad smiles on our faces were not even close to reflecting how happy and full our hearts were. Stamped documents in hand, we piled back into the car and drove towards our new life.  Without really understanding the meaning of the big, wooden “Welcome to Alberta – Wild Rose Country” sign, we stopped anyway to take a family picture to commemorate the moment.  I welled with pride during that moment when my husband softly whispered in my ear, “We are home.”

A few years have gone by since our arrival and we have settled in fine; actually more than fine. Today, I feel truly blessed to live in this bountiful and great country called Canada.  The feeling of immense gratitude that I share with millions of other immigrants and refugees towards the people and the country with their open arms, vast generosity, and blatant kindness is beyond words.  Not only has Canada welcomed our family, but it has also embraced us, making us part of its great mosaic.   This feeling of open acceptance is what makes Canada one of the best countries to live in.  We owe this country so much and appreciate every opportunity it has given especially for our children with regards to education, acceptance, and security, and the only thing we want to do is give back to the community and continue this cycle of giving.  This year is particularly poignant being the Sesquicentennial of Confederation, and we are proud to join the rest of the country as we celebrate Canada, this great place we call 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. 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.

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

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

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

I am from Germany and came to Canada in 2004 for the first time. I was in my twenties on a work and travel visa, [and I] just wanted to see different places and experience life on a different continent. It’s funny, but I never felt “unwelcome” in Canada.

I chose [to move to] Canada because of its peaceful and friendly reputation. Also, coming from Germany, a very dense populated country, I wanted to experience living in a country that is still undomesticated in areas.

I became a Canadian citizen in January 2018. Since [becoming] Canadian, I feel more connected to my community. Also, I have two children that were born in Canada and are naturally Canadian citizens. Now, I have the same nationality as my children and spouse, which unites us as a family on a different level.

[As a citizen,] I believe that it’s important to stay informed about our country, politics and environment. For me as a Canadian, I want to contribute to my community and follow my values. To do so, I take my right to vote, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly very seriously.

I [have] used the Cultural Access Pass a few times [already]. We went to museums in Vancouver and on a trip to Victoria, we also visited some venues on Vancouver Island. I usually take my kids along.  Especially learning about the Indigenous people at the Museum of Anthropology and the Royal BC Museum made a big impact on me and my older son.

Going to cultural places broadens my horizons. I learn about the culture and the history and that leads to new perspectives. I [have] visited a lot of venues and learned about Canadian history, Indigenous people, our natural environment, art and much more.

I believe that it’s important for new Canadians to integrate into the Canadian society. Community centres [like libraries] are a great place to connect. I find that by providing, for example, classes, people from different backgrounds can come together and get to know one another.

In Vancouver there is a variety of different cultures [and] I believe that, as an immigrant, I bring my culture and my history to Canada. My identity is both German and Canadian. New Canadian citizens are adding more diversity to our society. We can certainly learn from one another and become more tolerant and accepting.

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.

The only program of its kind in the world, the Cultural Access Pass (CAP) offers new Canadian citizens free admission to more than 1400 of Canada’s premier cultural attractions including museums, art galleries, and science centres, as well as discounts on travel and tickets to performing arts events. Since 2008, CAP has inspired more than 250 000 new citizens to explore Canadian culture during their first year of citizenship, and has uniquely demonstrated the value of arts and culture in promoting inclusion and fostering a sense of belonging.

With 94 percent of program members using smartphones, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is launching a smartphone app for the CAP program in early 2019. Moving from paper pass to mobile app will allow us to build better, more immediate, and longer-lasting connections with CAP members and increase participation in CAP from an average of 40 000 members per year to an estimated 100 000. The mobile app will offer a more interactive user experience and offer greater accessibility to CAP to virtually every new citizen across the country.

“Moving CAP onto people’s smartphones is the natural next step for a program that is leading the world in showing how culture is key to building inclusive societies,” says Charlie Foran, the ICC’s CEO. “We’re designing an app that will give new citizens even easier access to the cultural institutions in their own backyards and across the entire country. And even more importantly, it’s an app that will pave the way for them to go from consumers of culture to contributors who add their own experiences to the story of Canada.”

CAP members can learn more by visiting the CAP FAQs website.

CAP member Bilal received his citizenship only a few weeks ago. We reached out to Bilal after he received hundreds of comments on his Reddit post about the Cultural Access Pass and becoming a Canadian citizen. Here’s Bilal’s Spotlight, in his own words.

My name is Bilal El Houri. I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but moved to Canada in June of 2012 after living for 5 years in Dubai. I didn’t feel at “home” in the Middle East so I wanted to move to a country where I feel that I belong. My goals when I moved were mainly to be part of a community and start building roots.

After I moved to Canada, I lived in Edmonton for 3 years. On the very first time I left Canada for a vacation, when I came back to the Edmonton airport, the passport officer said to me “welcome home!”, that was a moment that I will never forget, it made me fall in love with Canada and its people.

I became a citizen in February 2018. My life changed drastically since I now really feel “at home” and feel that I belong. I’m definitely looking forward to voting!

In spring/summer times I like to spend my time outdoors and hiking in Ontario. I also like film photography and improv. I’ve only been to ROM with [my Cultural Access Pass] but I’m planning to explore more places when the weather gets better. Almost all of my Canadian friends were jealous after I told them what [the Cultural Access Pass] was, since they’re born here [in Canada]!

[Cultural places] open our minds and hearts to different cultures and histories, we probably never have exposure to them if it weren’t for cultural places. [As a new Canadian], these places help me understand and learn Canada’s culture and history.

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.