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
ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with the Vancouver Art Gallery to welcome 30 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Vancouver on October 10, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/Geoff Howe
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
ICC community citizenship ceremonies are a celebration of Canada’s newest citizens and offer unique opportunities to reflect on what it means to be active, engaged citizens. We were thrilled to work with Via Rail to welcome 40 new Canadian citizens at our ceremony in Ottawa in October 25, 2018.
Below are a few highlights from the ceremony.
Photo Credit: Institute for Canadian Citizenship/Andrea Cardin
I felt the excitement and energy as I entered the room at the citizenship ceremony organized by the ICC on September 24, 2018, at TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning. The seats slowly filled up around the round tables as the time approached for the event’s opening remarks. I walked to my table feeling nervous and excited at the same time. As an immigrant who received citizenship ten years ago, I remembered the feeling of finally becoming a Canadian citizen. A momentous milestone they are about to receive and experience.
Every year, thousands of individuals receive their Canadian citizenship. Roughly 3,000 citizenship ceremonies are held each year to welcome these new Canadians. The Institute for Canadian Citizenship organizes 75 of these ceremonies. A key component of an ICC citizenship ceremony are roundtable discussions, which are held before the official ceremony. During these roundtable discussions, new citizens and their guests have the chance to reflect on their journey and their aspirations, and on the meaning of active citizenship.
My role as an ICC Fellow was to host one of the roundtable discussions with soon-to-be citizens that sat at my appointed table. Together with my co–table host, a fellow Canadian citizen, we facilitated discussions on the participants’ journey to Canada, what it means to be Canadian, and how to become active citizens of Canada. After hearing their heartfelt stories, I reflected on how powerful citizenship can be.
We talked and shared our individual life journeys to Canada. To some people, being in Canada is a way out from violence. To some, it is a chance to start over again. To some, it’s a door for a better future for their kids. We talked about things they liked about living in Canada for the past few years before arriving to this citizenship ceremony day. Hearing different perspectives about the opportunities Canada offered to them made me realize how powerful Canadian citizenship is and how much it can play a big role in navigating their life in Canada.
When asked about how they can give back to Canada and how to become active citizens, a lot of folks talked about how ecstatic they were to be able to vote after they receive citizenship. Volunteering in their communities was listed as another way of giving back.
After reflecting on this experience, I realized that sometimes I’ve taken being Canadian and the opportunities that come along with it for granted. This also made me realize what a privilege it is to live in and be a citizen of Canada. It is a country described by many people as safe and a land full of possibilities.
It was such an honour to be part of this citizenship ceremony. It not only reminded me of my own citizenship journey, but also taught me to not take my citizenship for granted. Being a roundtable host during this ceremony reminded me of how fortunate it is to live in a country that welcomes newcomers and continues to build communities that are unique and inclusive.
These participants’ journeys to becoming a citizen definitely touched my heart and created a spark in me to continue to actively practice being a Canadian citizen.
April Alayon is a 2018–2019 ICC Fellow. For more information on the ICC Fellowship, visit https://inclusion.ca/icc-fellowship.
Photo: Institute for Canadian Citizenship / Alyssa Faoro
By April Alayon
