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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 30, 2007 - 7 New Canadians embrace their adopted country By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER With Canada day almost here, and a sense of national pride building amongst all Canadians, the time could not be better to welcome a group of people into the nation as new citizens. For a group of about 30 people, that is exactly what happened as they were awarded Canadian citizenship this past Wednesday, National Multiculturalism Day. The ceremony took place at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, where the group of participants, officials and guests gathered under a canopy to escape from the unforgiving sun and humidity as the new Canadians swore their Oath of Citizenship. This marked the second time this type of ceremony has been held at Bronte Creek Provincial Park -- a location organizers believe represents the essence of Canada. The ceremony was held in partnership with the Halton Multicultural Council, and Citizenship Judge Rob Morrow oversaw the ceremony. "It's a great pleasure to be welcoming families to Canada on a personal level," said Trivi Mehendale, President of the Halton Multicultural Council. "It is a clear and defining moment in life." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn attended the ceremony, and shared his congratulations with those who were receiving their citizenship. "It's okay to dream of where you came from, and be proud of where you came from," said Flynn, who became a Canadian citizen as a child. "But Canada provides a whole new hope and pride when you become part of our family." For those who received their citizenship at the ceremony, the day marked a defining moment for them that will shape the rest of their lives. "It's a wonderful experience," said Carlos Casonova, a Columbian native, who was there with his wife and son. "We have been here for five years. It's a nice country and a new life for us. It's like being born again." Casonova appreciates the accepting nature of Canadian society. "We have a free country," said Casonova. "We have a new family. The people are warm and you can feel the freedom." For Casonova, the process of becoming Canadian has changed him for the better as new possibilities open up all around him. "It was hard for us to get here from Columbia," said Casonova. "But here you can feel that the people are more open. Looking back on my point of view five years ago, it has changed, you feel that you are changing." People like Casonova and the others who became Canadian citizens represent the future of the nation. With an aging population and declining birth rate, immigration has now become the main source of population growth in Canada. Between 2001 and 2004, immigration accounted for 66 per cent of the population growth. In 2002, the government of Canada, by Royal Proclamation, designated June 27 of every year as Canadian Multiculturalism Day. Multiculturalism Day is a chance to celebrate diversity throughout all of Canada and recognize the various multicultural groups that make up Canadian society. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER AFTER YOU, MOM: Young Sebastian Casanova glances towards his mother while taking his Oath of Canadian Citizenship at Bronte Creek Provincial Park last Wednesday. Pud By Steve Nease snease@haltonsearch.com Bonnie Brown M.P., Oakville Happy Canada Day! Let us celebrate a country whose diversity, inclusiveness, and prosperity are the envy of the world. Phone: 905-827-2077 Fax: 905-827-7516 e-mail: brownb@parl.gc.ca