On July 1, 2022, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a statement and sent a warm welcome to all Canadians, as well as to newcomers and thousands of Afghans and Ukrainians who have arrived over the last months.
He expressed his joy as 49 newcomers took the Oath of Citizenship at an in-person ceremony for the first time in 2 years. He stated that for every newcomer, the citizenship ceremony is the “reflection of their hard work, perseverance and dedication to Canada.”
The country's greatest strength is its diversity. As Canadians, newcomers have played an integral role in the communities throughout history. Canada's economy benefits from newcomers because they bring vital skills in key sectors, start businesses to advance its recovery from the pandemic, and volunteer in their own communities.
Also, their contribution to Canada's diversity, inclusivity and prosperity is greater than ever. The minister added that it can be challenging to become a citizen of Canada due to obstacles and uncertainty. The Oath of Citizenship is a reflection of a newcomer's hard work, perseverance, and dedication to Canada.