Canadian Citizenship Week, May 13-19, 2024, is a special time dedicated to celebrating and honouring the values, rights, and responsibilities that come with being a citizen of Canada. It’s a week filled with pride, reflection, and appreciation for the diverse tapestry of cultures and contributions that shape our nation. During Citizenship Week, our Ottawa Catholic School Board community was honoured to host in-person citizenship ceremonies for new Canadian citizens at our Catholic Education Centre, St. Pius X High School and St. Bernadette School.
Citizenship Ceremonies Celebrate New Canadians
On May 13, 2024, the OCSB Continuing & Community Education Department, in partnership with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), held a bilingual Citizenship Ceremony for 40 new Canadian Citizens. Candidates and their guests were welcomed to the OCSB Catholic Education Centre by the Clerk of the Ceremony, Amevi Aziato, and Citizenship Judge, Judge Rania Sfeir. Monique Manatch, Executive Director of Indigenous Culture and Media Innovations Algonquin, extended a traditional greeting. Caroline Xian, an OCSB International & Indigenous Languages Program student and Grade 3 student at St. Gregory School, performed a beautiful Sign Language Dance. The opening events were followed by the collective Oath Of Citizenship, administered in both official languages, and the presentation of certificates. Tom D’Amico, OCSB Director of Education, provided a congratulatory speech and Bernard Leger, OCSB Arts Consultant, sang and played piano for the national anthem. Many OCSB staff members, as well as Ben Vallati, OCSB Superintendent of Continuing & Community Education, were in attendance to support and celebrate the new citizens. At the reception that followed the ceremony, attendees could chat with the latest citizens about their experiences and hear their citizenship stories. From the cultural performances to the oath-taking service, each ceremony reminded us of the rights and responsibilities we share as Canadian citizens.
Citizenship Ceremonies were held at St. Bernadette School on May 10, 2024, and at St. Pius X High School on May 16, 2024. The St. Bernadette celebration commemorated 13 families from their community during Catholic Education Week. With such a diverse school community, they wanted to celebrate in a very special way. Students were presented with certificates recognizing their recent citizenship, a pinwheel and maple leaf popit, while their families were presented with a large Canadian flag. Under the direction of Susan Sande, the Grade 5/6 class sang ‘What a Wonderful World’, and speeches were given by Victoria White, Principal of St. Bernadette, and Dan Rigley, Vice Principal of St. Bernadette. In attendance were Scott Phelan, OCSB Trustee, Shelley Montgomery, OCSB Superintendent of Elementary Student Success and Lisa Schimmens, OCSB Associate Director of Business Affairs and Assistant Treasurer.
The St. Pius X celebration honoured 38 new Canadian citizens with introductions from the Clerk, Judge and Indigenous Participant, followed by the Oath Of Citizenship and presentation of certificates, and concluded with a congratulatory speech from Shelley Montgomery, OCSB Superintendent of Elementary Student Success, and touching musical performances by students of St. Pius X High School. A welcoming reception followed the ceremony, where staff and community members engaged with the new citizens while they enjoyed food, refreshments and photo-taking.
Citizenship stories from our OCSB community
During Citizenship Week, we shared citizenship stories from OCSB staff members who inspire our strategic commitment to “Be Community.” Shabnam Assadollahi, an OCSB ESL Teacher, shared her powerful journey from Iran to Canada and conveyed her appreciation for our country: “Embracing Canada as a cohesive whole, with a commitment to inclusivity, equality, respect, and unity, allowed me to find belonging in a nation that celebrates its diversity while recognizing the common humanity that binds us all.” We invite you to read these stories on our OCSB Continuing & Community Education social media channels.
How you can celebrate Canadian Citizenship Week
- Join a Citizenship Ceremony: Take part in our citizenship by attending a citizenship ceremony in your community.
- Learn about new citizens: Citizenship Week is the perfect opportunity to learn about a new citizen’s culture and heritage and share your own.
- Connect with local charities: Connect with local charities to learn how you can help newcomers to Canada.
- Share stories: Share citizenship stories and stories of immigrants enriching your community on your personal social media channels.
- Join Canada Connects: By volunteering with Canada Connects, you can be matched with a newcomer and help foster a newcomers’ sense of belonging as they settle into their community.
- Become a volunteer: Become a volunteer at an OCSB Adult ESL School to help a newcomer prepare for citizenship, tutor newcomers with their conversation or literacy skills, or join a class as a guest speaker. Contact Continuing.Education@ocsb.ca for more information.
Let’s come together to showcase the beauty of our multicultural and vibrant country and celebrate the unique contributions that each of us brings to this great nation. Happy Canadian Citizenship Week!
