WOLFVILLE, N.S. — For 45 new Canadians who took the oath of citizenship during a ceremony at Acadia University Tuesday, their experience came with a surprise first-hand visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
After taking the oath, those in attendance were told they would see a video message from Trudeau. The judge said there was a problem with the video and asked if anyone in the room had any technical skills before Trudeau walked in and the room burst into applause.
Trudeau congratulated each of the new Canadians as they received their certificates of citizenship, posing for official photos. But after the ceremony everyone wanted a selfie with Trudeau, which he obliged.
Satvir Sekhon and G.P. Loodu arrived in Canada from India in 2010 and 2013, respectively. Their son, Nirwan, was born here four years ago.
It doesn’t matter if there was an official picture ... pic.twitter.com/IiEUNeIqth
— Ian Fairclough (@iancfairclough) March 3, 2020
“I was always so inspired by the beauty of Canada, and the peace,” said Sekhon, who came for school. “I'm a very peaceful person, and I want to be in a peaceful country.”
Loodu, who is now a volunteer firefighter in Truro, said it was a big surprise when Trudeau came into the room.
“We had no idea he was going to be here,” he said. “Suddenly we saw him coming around the corner, and that was a big surprise.”
Sekhon said it “makes the ceremony very special for him to be here.”
Karen Hall came to Canada from Jamaica seven years ago to work as a continuing care assistant, and became an LPN after gaining permanent residency. Her daughter Tjasa has been here three years and will start high school in September.
Hall said getting her citizenship “is one of those feelings that is so hard to explain in words, the accomplishment of being a Canadian citizen.”
She said having Trudeau show up “cemented the moment more, to know that the prime minister was present at the ceremony. I'm proud to say that I'm a happy and proud Canadian today.”
Tjasa said said she felt honoured to have Trudeau show up.”
Mehjabin Monjurul from Bangladesh came to Canada to attend school in 2015.
“When I first came to Canada I found the people are very friendly. Everywhere I go, people help me a lot. They're very welcoming. I'm really proud to be a Canadian now.”
Mrugakshee Palwe, who came to Canada from India, said being in Canada “is everything I expected it to be and so much more. There are things that you just have to live here and witness to feel the beauty of this country.”
Since she has a computer science degree, she was starting to put her hand up when the call went out for technical assistance before Trudeau walked in.
“It was pretty exciting that he took time out from running the country to come here and say 'hi' to 45 new Canadians.”
