Welcoming more new Canadians at Taste of Asia Festival

Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander welcomed approximately 50 new citizens from 21 countries at a special citizenship ceremony at the CIBC Taste of Asia Festival.

At the event, Alexander delivered remarks and personally welcomed the day’s newest Canadians. He also highlighted the government’s recent improvements to the Citizenship Act, which became law on June 19, 2014. These changes will reduce wait times by streamlining the decision-making process for citizenship and strengthen the value of Canadian citizenship by ensuring that new citizens are better prepared for full participation and integration into Canadian society.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently partnered with CIBC to promote and celebrate Canadian citizenship. The new partnership will promote awareness among new and established Canadians of the roles, responsibilities and privileges of being a Canadian citizen.

“Our government is proud to partner with CIBC in welcoming these new citizens to the Canadian family and also in celebrating the high value of Canadian citizenship. With our recent changes to the Citizenship Act passed into law last week, and Canada Day quickly approaching, I can’t think of a better time to celebrate what it means to be a Canadian citizen,”said Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister