News Release - Citizenship judge appointments

OTTAWA, July 5, 2005 — The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced the appointment of two citizenship judges.

Lawrence (Larry) Shaben is an esteemed community and business leader in Edmonton. A former minister for the Province of Alberta, Mr. Shaben has served as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Minister of Housing and Minister of Utilities and Telephones, and as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1975 to 1989. He is an active community volunteer, serving as the current chairman of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities and as a patron of the Alberta Heritage Foundation, among other community endeavours. Mr. Shaben was appointed a citizenship judge in Edmonton.

Sarkis Assadourian is a well-known and well-respected community leader in the Greater Toronto Area. A former member of Parliament, he is also the former Executive Director of the Armenian Community Centre in North York. As a member of Parliament, Mr. Assadourian was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. He was appointed a citizenship judge in Toronto.

Citizenship judges are appointed by order-in-council and are responsible for making decisions with regard to applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens.

For more information:

Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 954-1064