ReZooming a new life

The road to becoming a Canadian citizen can prove a long, stressful journey.

So when the pandemic forced scheduled swearing-in ceremonies to be shelved across the country beginning in March, thousands of prospective Canadians were suddenly left in limbo, unable — though tantalizingly so close — to fulfil their dreams. Prior to the lockdown, the federal government was processing a record number of citizenship applications.

For Muhammad Ahmad and his wife Shumaila Jamil, who had come to Nova Scotia from Pakistan in July 2016 to start a new life, there was understandable disappointment when their March 18 citizenship ceremony was cancelled.

Happily, the couple, whose two-and-a-halfyear-old daughter, Aminah, was born here, were recently finally able to officially be sworn in as Canadian citizens via an online Zoom ceremony.

Ottawa announced earlier this month that officials would soon be performing citizenship ceremonies remotely.

“We’re really happy because to get the citizenship was really not an easy task for us,” Jamil told Chronicle Herald reporter Noushin Ziafati. “From making the immigration decision, to taking the oath, we had a long journey and lots of struggles.”

“It was a different experience because we were thinking for a lot of time that we would go to attend the ceremony physically,” said Ahmad. “But we are still very excited to get our citizenship. We are very happy.”

That sentiment is very evident during the ceremonies here on Prince Edward Island. During a 2018 ceremony, 195 people from 32 different countries made their way to Murphy's Community Centre in Charlottetown, raised their hands, swore an oath and became Canadian citizens.

"It's a mix of feelings. I'm so relieved. It's been a long process," said Fabiana Connolly, originally from Brazil. "I'm very proud and very happy to be here and I'm looking forward to a new beginning."

Judge Joan Mahoney presided over that ceremony.

"Your presence here this morning confirms that your courage and your perseverance have been rewarded," she said. "You've made the tough adjustment and you've made a conscious decision in favour of Canada. This morning here in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the birthplace of Confederation, I'm delighted to say that Canada is declaring in favour of you."

There’s no question that being able to take the oath of citizenship in a room with dozens of other new Canadians, often with proud relatives and friends looking on, has created special memories for countless immigrants who’ve come to this country to make a new, better life. But the online ceremony is considered no less legal and, under the special current circumstances necessary due to COVID-19, at least allows those who’ve faithfully completed every step of the citizenship application process to finally achieve that milestone.

So, welcome to Canadian citizenship, Muhammad and Shumaila — and all those who will be joining them in coming days and weeks via Zoom.

The country can always use more proud Canadians.