New Canadians welcomed at citizenship ceremony at Queen’s University

February 26, 2020February 27, 2020 Josie Vallier

Nearly six dozen new Canadians were sworn at the Isabel Bader Centre in an enhanced citizenship ceremony co-hosted by Queen’s University and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020.

65 new Canadian citizens affirm their oath to Judge Marie Senécal-Tremblay during a citizenship ceremony at Queen’s University on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Photo by Tommy Vallier.

The ceremony, which took about an hour, saw 65 candidates from 24 countries affirm their oath of citizenship before Judge Marie Senécal-Tremblay and a room of gathered friends, family, and supporters.

I swear (or affirm) 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 fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.”
– Oath of Citizenship of Canada

Left to right: Judge Marie Senécal-Tremblay, Elder Wendy Phillips of the Wasauksing First Nation, Dr. Patrick Deane, principal of Queen’s University, Stephanie Simpson, Associate Vice-Principal of Queen’s University (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion) and Amy Matchen, Managing Director of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship sit ahead of the start of the citizenship ceremony. Photo by Tommy Vallier

In addition to taking their oath of citizenship, the University and the ICC hosted a round-table discussion around the theme of Black History Month, which was also referenced in Judge Senécal-Tremblay’s remarks, who took time to call out the accomplishments of immigrants Jean Augustine and Robert Sutherland.

“I was deeply moved to go through the ceremony with you again,” said Dr. Patrick Deane, Principal of Queen’s University ,who came to Canada from South Africa in 1979.

“The exciting thing in becoming a citizen is to imagine the ways in which we can all contribute to the growth and development of this extraordinary country,” Deane added as words of advice and encouragement to the new Canadians.