On the shores of Lake Minnewanka, 50 people were granted Canadian citizenship at a ceremony last week (Aug. 4).
Alan and Christine Pryor, who followed their children to Canada from the United Kingdom, were honoured to be granted their citizenship.
“We’ve permanently been here four and a half years, but we’ve been travelling backwards and forwards from the U.K. since 1996,” said Alan. “Our grandchildren are here.
“We’ve got two sons, Jake, who lives in Canmore, and Alan, who lives in Calgary. All the family came, we decided to sell up, retire and come to live in Canmore.”
Christine stressed making the effort to become Canadian was an important step.
“There’s a sense of belonging when you’re a citizen, a greater sense than being a permanent resident,” she said.
“We’ve met a lot of friends here, and we talk about the voting and being able to contribute,” added Alan. “It’s a fabulous place to live, people spend thousands of pounds to come visit here, and we have the opportunity and good fortune to be able to live here permanently.”
Overseeing the event was citizenship Judge Joy Dirks.
“I feel privileged and proud to be able to spend this day with you,” she said to the gathering of new Canadians, friends and family. “Most of you came to Canada looking for a better life in a safe, prosperous and welcoming community.”
Citizenship in Canada, she explained, is not just a technical qualification for voting or for getting a passport, being a Canadian is about sharing rights and freedoms.
“Citizenship really is a bond between individuals and the great country that we share with the nation of Canada,” said Dirks. “Working together, Canada can continue to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for the entire world.”
Banff superintendent Pamela Veinotte spoke on behalf of the park.
“Banff is a very special place, a place of great nature, beauty, culture and adventure, and this is indeed a very special day,” she said. “It is the culmination of significant effort on your part in choosing to come to Canada and become citizens of this great country and we’re simply thrilled that you’re about to receive your citizenship in 2011.”
The 50 new Canadians came from 17 countries, including Australia, Azerbaijan, Columbia, Hungary, India, South Korea, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.
Following the administration of the oath and the presenting of certificates, several dignitaries spoke.
Janice Tarchuk, member of the provincial legislative assembly for Banff-Cochrane, spoke first.
“This day truly is one for celebration, it marks the culmination of a really long immigration process, one that requires great thought, great preparation and persistence, and some difficult accomplishments,” she said. “What better new beginning than being here in this magnificent country in one of its most dynamic provinces, surrounded by this natural beauty, surrounded by the majestic Lake Minnewanka?”
Tarchuk noted a family member of hers was also present to become a new citizen.
“I share the personal excitement,” she said. “Canada is a place to succeed, a place to prosper and to live a good life, so personally and I think we all agree, you’ve made a very good choice.
“As a Canadian I encourage you to look with hope, anticipation and great faith towards the future.”
Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen was pleased to share in the event.
“As one who was born in this country, watching a citizenship ceremony for those who choose to be Canadian leaves me both proud and awestruck,” she said. “Proud, because of all the countries in the world, you chose Canada as the one that would offer the best opportunities and the best quality of life; awestruck, because I can only guess what a momentous decision it must be to leave your homeland and make a new life in a strange new land and then adopt that place as your own.”
Speaking for Parks Canada was Bill Fisher, Director General for Western and Northern Canada Parks.
“On behalf of Parks Canada, congratulations, bravo,” he said. “And what could be more appropriate than to celebrate your citizenship than a place that is near and dear to the hearts of Canadians, Banff National Park?”
Also among the new citizens was Brooke Deschenes, who immigrated from the United States.
“I met my husband, and he’s Canadian, and we both wanted to live in the national park,” she said. “We came here together and have lived here for five years, and I love Canada.”
Though she’s never voted in the U.S., she made it clear she will be voting in Canada.
“I love the parks and the health care system is phenomenal, there’s so many things… I’d like to feel like this is the country that I belong to,” said Deschenes. “I don’t think you could’ve picked a nicer day or location for a citizenship ceremony.”
