Multiculturalism and Literacy Minister Flor Marcelino welcomed 30 new Canadians to Manitoba at a recent citizenship ceremony held at the Legislative Building.
“Canadian citizenship is a great privilege and we are proud these individuals have chosen to join the Canadian family and live in Manitoba,” said Minister Marcelino. “On behalf of all Manitobans, I congratulate these new Canadians and encourage them to share their home countries’ culture and passion for their new communities as well as embrace our shared democratic values.”
Citizenship ceremonies are the last step in acquiring Canadian citizenship and signify formal entry into Canada. Each of the new Canadians at today’s ceremony swore an oath of citizenship and was presented with a certificate of Canadian citizenship.
“It is an honour to share in this experience,” said the minister. “The pride showing on each person’s face today as they received their citizenship is a reminder of how valuable it is to be a Canadian citizen and live in Manitoba with all its rich educational and economic opportunities.”
Manitoba has a long history of welcoming people from all over the world and its population is diverse. New immigrants contribute to the province’s skilled workforce and strengthen Manitoba’s position as an attractive option for businesses in an increasingly competitive global economy, said Minister Marcelino.
In 2012 alone, 13,312 newcomers arrived in the province, one of the largest numbers of new Manitobans since the start of modern record keeping in 1946. Today in Manitoba, 148 different languages are spoken by people from 150 different countries. Some 300 ethnocultural organizations contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of Manitoba communities.
Each year, approximately 4,500 newcomers are sworn in as Canadian citizens in Manitoba. According to Statistics Canada, over the last five years, Manitoba has experienced its highest population growth rate in 50 years.
