New Canadians sworn in at Rainbow Bridge
What began as a holiday evolved into a new beginning for Stuart Berry and Des Armstrong. “We were here on vacation and we absolutely fell in love with the area,” Berry said of Ontario.
They immigrated to Canada from England in 2012. They originally settled in Oakville before relocating to Niagara Falls where they now operate the Footcare Centre on Portage Road. Berry is a chiropodist and Armstrong is responsible for office operations and marketing. All that was left to do to complete their Canuck transition was to get their Canadian citizenship. “It’s basically the final stage of when you move to a new country,” said Armstrong. “You become a proper part of the community.”
The duo were among 19 people from 10 countries to take the oath of citizenship at a ceremony at the Rainbow Bridge.
“I am very proud today,” said Olesya Galkina, who received her citizenship along with her family including Alexey Galkin and Dimitry Galkin. The family moved from Russia to Alberta in 2013. They’ve lived in St. Catharines for the past year.
“We love it here,” Galkina said. “There’s no question.” Citizenship ceremonies are typically held at local Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices, but Tuesday’s event was held at the Rainbow Bridge as part of the Canada150 celebrations. The ceremony was hosted by the Canada Border Services Agency. “When you first come to Canada, upon arrival, the first person you met would have been a CBSA officer,” Rick Comerford, the agency’s regional director general for the southern Ontario region, told the new Canadians.
“I’m proud to be a part of an organization that plays a vital role in welcoming newcomers to our country and keeping Canadians safe.” Addressing the new citizens prior to the oath being taken, presiding official Dorothy Griffiths said the ceremony was a “proud moment for all of us … a memory that you and your families will cherish.” “We welcome tens of thousands of new Canadians every year,” she said. “In fact, welcoming newcomers is the story of Canada. The country has been enriched by generations of people who have come from all over the world to make Canada a better place.” Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati urged the new citizens to “make this place better than when you arrived.” “I challenge you to bring your culture and customs and everything that is unique about where you come from and to share it with us,” he said.