41 new Canadians, 100 years of suffrage
Citizenship Judge Gerald Pash marked the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Canada by leading 41 new Canadians in their oaths of citizenship.
In a special ceremony held in the chamber of the B.C. legislature, Pash reminded the new citizens each of them now holds the right to vote and the right to run for office. And he noted on May 24, 1918, the federal government extended those rights to some women.
“Canada is a wonderful democracy, one of the best in the world,” Pash said. “So you have the right to any job that hard work and your own talent can obtain.”
But he also cautioned the new citizens, who hail from 16 countries, that they had also earned a responsibility to make Canada an even better democracy — work that must never end.
For example, Pash noted not all women earned the right to vote 100 years ago. Some were denied because of their background or ethnicity. Those restrictions are now over, but new efforts will always be needed to improve Canada.
“So what you want from Canada, Canada also wants from you,” he said. “When we all give freely of our talent and our resources, then we can create an even better country.”
Carole James, Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA and B.C. minister of finance, congratulated and thanked the new citizens, offering gratitude that they had chosen Canada to be their home. She expressed admiration for their courage in giving up former homes, languages and customs.
“I truly believe immigrants are some of the bravest people we will ever know,” she said.
Speaker Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South, welcomed the new citizens to what he called the Canadian family.
“You bring us your cultures, your heritage, your languages and your experiences,” Plecas said. “All of it creates what we in Canada like to call ‘the great mosaic.’
“Your story is now our story and our story will become part of your story.”
Andres Ruiz, who came to Canada from Mexico and is a third-year student at the University of Victoria, and his younger brother Emilio, a student at Pacific Christian School, are both delighted to call Canada their new home.
“I love this place,” Andres Ruiz said. “It’s such a beautiful place.”
Angela Henshaw came to Canada from Nigeria in 2009 to study. Before moving to Victoria, she lived in Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Henshaw said she wanted to take advantage of the freedom provided by a Canadian passport to travel the world. After that she wants to vote.
“I’ve always wanted to vote,” she said. “And the judge looked right at me and said: ‘You might be the next prime minister,’ so I’m looking forward to that.”