Rajendra Goorye and his family came to Canada in November of 2012. He was in search of not only a better life and a higher standard of living, but also the chance for his young family to access strong education. One of his first goals when settling into Canada was to find a good school for his three young children. He became a citizen in February of 2017.
Now that he is a Canadian citizen, Rajendra is looking forward to traveling. His Canadian passport has opened up doors for him, allowing him to visit the United States, and he soon wants to visit the East and West coasts of Canada. During his spare time, Rajendra likes to garden, watch movies and go for long drives just to discover new places.
Rajendra used his Cultural Access Pass often with his family; he visited museums, parks and more in both Ottawa and Toronto, including Algonquin Park. He says that he always brought along his children and they enjoyed all the activities. In particular, they love visiting the Ontario Science Centre. “[CAP is] very beneficial, helpful and worth it! I have a family of 5 and if I had to pay to visit all these places…” he says. “To be honest it would not always be possible, so thanks a lot [to the Cultural Access Pass].”
A key part of active citizenship, Rajendra believes, is embracing the culture of others and showing respect to every person, and cultural spaces play a key role in building that inclusion. “By going to cultural places I get to know Canada better, learn more about its history and feel part of the community. [Cultural places allow] people to learn more and increase their knowledge,” he says, “and then they are able to transfer this into their daily lives in their neighbourhood, at school or at work. We get to meet and connect with other people. We are all part of the same community, we all work [here] and we should be happy to live in a multicultural country.”
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 Whistler Museum in Whistler, BC, joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens with free general admission as a CAP Attraction. A great indoor Whistler activity, the Whistler Museum is a fantastic option for a rainy day or a much needed rest-day from skiing – including the chance to take your photograph with a real Olympic torch.
If you live in Whistler or the surrounding area, be sure to visit with your Cultural Access Pass membership card.
To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.
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 Art Gallery of Guelph in Guelph, ON, joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens with free general admission as a CAP Attraction and Pickup Location. The Art Gallery of Guelph, one of Canada’s leading public art museums, is constantly developing new ways to engage diverse audiences and to increase the relevance of programs, particularly for youth and families, and firmly holds that access to the arts provides access to life. As such, they are also offering CAP members free AGG Family Memberships!*
If you live in Guelph or the surrounding area, be sure to visit to have your Cultural Access Pass membership card printed and/or pick up your AGG Family Membership!*
To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.
*The AGG is offering a free AGG family membership to valid CAP members – please visit the gallery for more information.
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 Cupids Legacy Centre in Cupids, NL joins the CAP program to welcome new Canadian citizens with free general admission. Cupids Legacy Centre was built in 2010 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the establishment of the first English settlement in Canada. It houses a state of the art exhibit that illuminates the rich historical and cultural narrative of Cupids and the Conception Bay area, as well as much more.
If you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, be sure to visit with your Cultural Access Pass membership card!
To find attractions in your area, head to Cultural Access Pass Directory and search your city.
Stoyan Nikolov came to Canada in November of 2012 with the goal of finding a better life. He wanted to find a good job and settle into Canadian life as quickly and smoothly as possible. Stoyan achieved his goals and became a Canadian citizen in June of 2017. “It feels good to be part of a great country,” he says.
Stoyan enjoys being involved in his community, including volunteering for City of Toronto special events. When he isn’t volunteering, Stoyan is outdoors enjoying hiking, biking or playing football in the green spaces of the city.
As a current Cultural Access Pass member, Stoyan is taking advantage of his CAP card and the opportunities it offers. He has attended multiple concerts through the CAP program, including a dress rehearsal performance of Rigoletto by the Canadian Opera Company. He enjoys going to cultural events like these because he can “share the Canadian culture with other people.” He also believes that cultural places play an important role in building inclusion as “they bring various facets of the society to new Canadians.”
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
Lorena Chinprahat become a Canadian citizen in July of 2017 after moving from the Philippines four years earlier with her family. “We have a young family, and we want to raise our children in one of the best places in the world. That is why we choose Canada,” explains Lorena. “When we first came here, our goals were to integrate and adapt to the Canadian culture, build a career, and explore this beautiful country. Coming to Canada is one of the best decisions we have ever made. This country freed us from cultural bondages and shown us vast opportunities to grow and develop personally and professionally. As a family, we became stronger and happier than ever.”
“With our Cultural Access Pass, we have visited almost all museums and national parks here in Alberta,” says Lorena. “Our daughters’ favorites are the dinosaur parks and discovery trail hikes. Going to cultural places […] made us feel welcomed as Canadian citizens. We were able to learn and discover how Canadian culture evolved and developed over time, and get to know the people who served as pillars of this beautiful country. Our experience in the Cultural Access Pass [program] validates what Helen Keller has said, that ‘life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.’ Cultural places present new Canadians the opportunity to know this country better and for them to easily adapt and integrate into the society.”
Although Lorena’s Cultural Access Pass has since expired, she plans to continue to explore Canada with her family. “In the next few years, we are looking forward to take on an exciting adventure to explore Canada more by visiting attractions in each and every province and territories,” says Lorena.
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
