Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued a statement on January 1, 2022, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the first Canadian Citizenship Act, a milestone in Canadian history.
In the statement, he mentioned the importance of Canadian citizenship that it still has after 75 years. He also honoured the ideals of common citizenship by promoting democracy, diversity, and community and encouraged all Canadians to reflect on what it means to them to be a citizen of Canada.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated:
"Three days after the Canadian Citizenship Act came into force, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King became the very first Canadian citizen, along with 25 other new Canadians. He began our country’s first-ever citizenship ceremony with the words, "I speak to you as a citizen of Canada.” Since that moment, millions of new Canadians have joined him at all types of citizenship ceremonies. Most recently, the pandemic has forced us to hold some 100,000 ceremonies virtually."
The minister added that,
"Seventy five years later, the importance of Canadian citizenship endures. It remains a commitment to Canada, and to our fellow Canadians. Today, we honour the ideals of our common citizenship by promoting democracy, diversity and community. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Canadian Citizenship Act, I encourage all Canadians to reflect on what it means to them to be a citizen of Canada."
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