New citizens get white hat treatment at Stampede ceremony
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Freshly sworn citizens were given gifts of cowboy apparel, alongside passes to spend the day on the midway.
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'It was just a beautiful moment and honorable moment for us,' said Hardikakaur Singh, one of the newly sworn-in citizens. 'I would say we got chance to meet so many VIPs, but here in Canada, they are not VIPs, like other countries. They are like you. They treat you like VIPs.'
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Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab spoke at the proceedings, alongside a host of other prominent figures, including Calgary Stampede president Stuart O'Connor and Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
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Shreys Sureja was sworn in alongside his wife, Niharika, and their son. He got his master's in computer science in the U.S. but came to Canada to put down real roots. The Stampede commemoration was exciting, but he was even more excited to culminate the long road to citizenship.
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'It's been like three, three-and-a-half years since we moved to Canada,' Sureja said.
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The family will be attending the evening Grandstand Show, where they'll be invited on stage alongside the other new Canadians who choose to take in the spotlight. Before the show, they're celebrating swearing their oaths by hitting the midway, and say they're most excited to watch the motocross.
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Singh says her favourite thing on the grounds is watching other people take the rides. 'It's so horrible. It's scary, actually watching those rides. And you can't dare to be in those rides, you know?'
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A citizenship ceremony is held by the Calgary Stampede annually. Diab said that she's attended many ceremonies since her first in 1996, but that this still marks a new and exciting occasion for the federal immigration minister.
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'What is also very special is to be here for the very first time to attend the Calgary Stampede,' Diab said. 'It started in 1912, so a long history, and a long proud tradition. This is a special, special occasion, of becoming a Canadian. But it's also special given the scenario we're at today.'
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Citizenship Judge James Clover presided over the proceedings. At several points throughout the ceremony, he was brought to the point of tears.
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Vancouver Sun
4 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
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By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The number of new housing starts in B.C. is of 'particular concern,' the letter says, citing a nearly 50 per cent decrease in starts comparing March 2024 with March 2025. The letter argues that in light of the recent industry slowdown — which has already seen layoffs at some big real estate companies and some projects delayed — the federal government should revisit the prohibition on residential property purchases by non-Canadians, which took effect in 2023 and is currently in place until 2027. The letter argues that foreign investors form an important part of the presale condo market, and without them, fewer projects will sell enough pre-construction units to get financing and move ahead. 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