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
The Cultural Access Pass provides members with free admission to more than 1,400 of Canada’s premier cultural attractions, as well as discounts to travel and explore during their first year of citizenship.
This month, the Winnipeg Art Gallery joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens with free general admission as a CAP Attraction. The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) is a cultural advocate for understanding and experiencing art and art-making, and their vital place in our lives, work and society.
If you are a CAP member and live in Winnipeg, or the surrounding area, be sure to visit the WAG with your CAP card.
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
The Cultural Access Pass provides members with free admission to more than 1,400 of Canada’s premier cultural attractions, as well as discounts to travel and explore during their first year of citizenship.
This month, the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre in Canmore, AB, joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens with free general admission as a CAP Attraction. The Canmore Museum & Geoscience Centre is dedicated to sharing the stories of the Bow Valley mountains and communities.
If you live in Canmore or the surrounding area, be sure to visit to explore this amazing museum.
To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.
