Immigration Partnership hosts community citizenship ceremonies to recognize and celebrate New Canadians and promote community belonging in Waterloo Region. Citizenship ceremonies are legally and symbolically important events marking the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen.
Community citizenship ceremonies are particularly meaningful as they allow the broader community to take part in the celebration and welcoming of new citizens to the Canadian family. They also provide Canadians a unique opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to Canada by repeating the Oath of Citizenship along with the new citizens.
February 2017, Kitchener City Hall
On the National Flag of Canada Day, Immigration Partnership's Belong Steering Group (BSG), in partnership with the City of Kitchener and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), hosted a community citizenship ceremony at the Rotunda in Kitchener City Hall. This ceremony involved many partners in its organization and many community members took part in the celebration. This beautiful ceremony, which welcomed 35 new citizens to the Canadian family, was a collaboration of the City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo, YMCAs of Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo, K-W Multicultural Centre, Delton Glebe Counselling Centre, KW Art Gallery, Inshallah Choir and I am Waterloo Region ambassadors.
"Earlier today, we welcomed 35 new citizens from over 20 countries in the Rotunda as part of the ICC community citizenship ceremony. I was fortunate to be able to facilitate a roundtable discussion with new citizens from Russia, US and El Salvador to share stories and reflect on what it means to be Canadian. It was amazing to hear different stories, but also the reflect on the common themes that we all felt were important: to be safe, to be welcomed, and to be free to pursue our dreams in Canada. As someone who was born in Canada, it was important for me to have this discussion as a reminder of how fortunate we truly are. We live in one of the best countries in the world, and although we often think and act locally, we can make an impact on a global scale by welcoming new citizens, supporting their dreams and demonstrating to the world that we're all in this together."
--Josh, City of Kitchener staff
October 2015, Kitchener City Hall
To celebrate local government week (Oct 21-24), Immigration Partnership's Belong Steering Group (BSG), in partnership with the City of Kitchener and Kitchener's Safe and Healthy Communities Committee hosted a community citizenship ceremony at Kitchener City Hall. Many community partners and residents took part in the celebration. This ceremony, which welcomed 30 new citizens to the Canadian family, was a community collaboration and inspired others in the community to host other ceremonies.
October 2013, Region of Waterloo Headquarters
Contacts