Citizenship Ceremonies

Ottawa Catholic School Board Hosts Citizenship Ceremonies

Retired citizenship judge George Springate with proud

new Canadian and with Board Chair Elaine McMahon

Several months ago, Marianne Kayed (Manager of the Continuing & Community Education Dept.) and I were discussing ways to promote our department.  She suggested that we host a citizenship ceremony at both the board office and one of our ESL sites. Citizenship and Immigration Canada was happy to oblige us, and so it was that two ceremonies were set for June 23 - one in the morning at the Catholic Education Centre and another in the afternoon at St. Joseph Adult School.

Our hope was that adult learners in either our English as a Second Language (ESL) or Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programs might be among the list of candidates for the June 23 citizenship ceremonies.  Perhaps we might even have students from our elementary or secondary schools and their parents among the candidates.

Presiding Judge George Springate leading the Oath of Citizenship

The citizenship ceremony in the boardroom of the Catholic Education Centre began with an animated and very welcoming introductory address by the presiding judge.  His address was followed by the Oath of Citizenship.  The many Ottawa Catholic school board staff who were present to observe the ceremony were also invited to take the oath along with the 20 or so candidates for citizenship.  Even the Chair of the Board, Elaine McMahaon, and the Director of Education, Julian Hanlon, raised their right hands and said the words: 

  I swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.   
                                                                         

Board Chair Elaine McMahon and Director Julian Hanlon taking the Oath

The ceremony concluded with a stirring singing of O Canada, which, as Judge Springate said, the candidates sang for the first time as Canadian citizens.  It was a proud moment for them, and an emotional moment for everyone gathered there.  We were so pleased to learn that 2 students from St. Joseph High School, Ann and Jeroniya Inparajan, along with their little sister, were among the group that morning that became Canadian citizens.

I was very honoured to have my picture taken with new Canadian citizens Ann and

Jeroniya Inparajan of St. Joseph High School, along with their younger sister and parents

 That afternoon, I attended an equally memorable citizenship ceremony at St. Joseph Adult School on Lajoie Street in Vanier.  The audience was comprised of several classes of adult ESL and LINC classes.  I was thrilled to discover not only that one of our ESL students was among the 20 people sworn in as Canadian citizens but as well that a student from All Saints High School (Jandelle Hernandez) and his younger brother (Kenneth) from St. Gabriel were also among the group.

with the Hernandez Family at St, Joseph Adult School

- 4 very proud new Canadians

Attending these 2 citizenship ceremonies suggested to me that, as part of the grade 10 Civics curriculum, ALL Ontario students should have this meaningful opportunity.