Oh Canada!…re-affirmed my citizenship oath today
I have been invited to attend a Canadian citizenship swearing in ceremony and round table discussion on what it means to be Canadian. Talk about a topic that is near and dear to me. This country has been very good to me and the opportunity to share my passion for this country is of importance. We are in one of the most amazing places and have been provided an opportunity of tremendous proportions! What are you going to do now that you have been given this opportunity? There is a responsibility on all our part to do something good for your country, community and the people around you…but you have to figure out what that will be.
Understand that by living in Canada, we are probably in the top 1% of the world’s population with opportunity. It is a reminder to me that we have been given a gift here…but what are you going to do with this gift. Many squander it and do very little with it while others embrace it with all their heart and go out to do good. As John Furlong recalls when he came to Canada and the immigration officer said to him: “make us better!” He took those words to heart and accomplished great things.
Today as people were there in anticipation, I saw pride and happiness. There was also relief on some. Almost the sense that you get when you finish a long race…it is over and I am finished and I have done it. I think we sometimes forget what it means to be Canadian and those outside that realm want to experience what it means. I was invited to sit in a guest seat after the round table and the swearing in ceremony. I realize that when I became a Canadian citizen, I was 12 years old and did not go due to school. I never had the opportunity to take the oath. Today I got the opportunity to take the oath and re-affirm that I am Canadian. It was powerful and equally important.
This country is made up of First Nations and Immigrants. If you are not First Nations, then you have come from somewhere in your family history. The country is rich with uniqueness and diversity. With all our differences, we have great potential. What will each one of these people do with this opportunity handed to them? Think about this today. You have a great opportunity, what can I do as a Canadian to make this a better place. The strength of this country rests not in our resources and industry but in the people who make up this great land. Pierre Trudeau once said, a city is not defined by the structures and buildings but rather by the people and every day, the landscape of this country changes with who we are and how we treat each other. What I like about the photo are the faces and diversity…these are our newest Canadians!
PS – Please join me in joining the Canadian Club of Vancouver. An organization set up to showcase the best of Canada through Citizenship, Pride and Celebration – http://www.canadianclubvancouver.com/Default.aspx