New Canadians welcomed ‘home’ at ceremony
Twenty-nine people from 16 different countries officially became Canadian citizens on Friday in St. John’s.
Lt.-gov. Judy Foote presided over a citizenship ceremony that was held at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus, Memorial University as part of Citizenship Week.
The newest Canadian citizens were given a “welcome home” by officials attending the ceremony and by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau through a video message.
Abuk Angok Tong, 23, originally from war-torn South Sudan, came to Canada as a refugee at age 12 along with her mother and four brothers.
“The meaning of today is hard to put into words,” she said. “I’ve been here for almost 12 years, but since I’ve got here I’ve felt like I’ve been Canadian. Today just makes it official. I’m a citizen to this wonderful country we call Canada. It’s been home for me for a long time.
“I had no choice but to leave my country, but I’m very happy that this was the place I chose to be my home. The friendliness of the people here … it puts a smile on your face being able to walk around knowing that people are so friendly, so generous and people always seem in a good mood.”
Hussameldin Labib, a marine engineer from Egypt, said it was his wife’s decision to move to Newfoundland and Labrador.
“My wife was looking for a quiet place to live and she chose Newfoundland and Labrador because of the welcoming people and it is a great place,” he said. “I came here eight years ago and now becoming a Canadian citizen means a lot to me. I can’t see myself leaving the ocean, the cliffs and the mountains. Newfoundland is home to me and having Canadian citizenship is a dream come true.”
Ragini Adsure, from India, said she dreamed of becoming a Canadian citizen since 2007 and has been in Canada since 2012.
“I came on a work permit here, and then applied for a permanent visa, and then finally Canadian citizenship,” she said. “I really love this country and especially St. John’s. People are so friendly here. I am planning to stay in St. John’s because it is so good here.”