We live in an awesome community and country. And ownership in a diverse Canadian dream became a little richer today on two fronts across the City of Cambridge. We now have more Canadians than we did last Thursday.

 

First, at Blair Road School where 26 new citizens were sworn in by Judge Monteith, a wise and gentle man whose warmth pulled the ceremony together in a way that took the jitters out of the equation and made it a celebration of change and opportunity.

 

Shirley Murdoch brought good wishes from MP Gary Goodyear's office while Mayor Craig talked about the importance of immigrants and their great contribution of cultural diversity to our city.

 

Judge Monteith (who presided over the court) related a story of the Canadian Citizenship Act which actually wasn't passed through parliament until 1947.

 

After Prime Minister Mackenzie King (MP from Kitchener) had visited the graves of soldiers killed in the Second World War he realized that they were British Subjects and not actually Canadians as such. While they viewed themselves as Canadians there was nothing in place which stated that they were, yet they had fought and died for our country.

 

On the Prime Minister's return to Canada, creating a citizenship policy was one of the very first things he did. It was approved by Parliament in December of 1946, and early in 1947 Mackenzie King became the first Canadian citizen to be sworn in.

 

Now, every 10 years, citizens numbering nearly the population of the city of Toronto are officially confirmed as new Canadians.

 

Judge Monteith also related a humorous story about what it is to be a citizen. The Romans, at the height of their mighty empire gave out Roman citizenship’s in conquered territories because it was much easier to tax them. His comment drew laughter and chuckles from the crowd, and especially from the new citizens.

 

 

The earlier ceremony held at Blair Public School was an intimate affair which saw the students sing a welcoming song about being Canadian. There is no doubt that there will be some emails going back to their countries of origin describing the moment they became full-fledged Canadians.

 

The acceptance ceremony and oath was conducted in English and French.

 

Welcome to Canada, welcome to Cambridge, we are a better place because of you.