News Release – Minister Kenney welcomes new Canadians and honours Canada’s most prominent national symbol

Gatineau, February 13, 2009 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today attended a special citizenship ceremony to mark Flag Day at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

“Since Confederation, Canada has welcomed more than 15 million newcomers from every corner of the world,” said Minister Kenney. “It is particularly fitting to welcome new citizens of Canada on the occasion of Flag Day.”

Seventy new Canadians from 37 different countries took the oath of citizenship at today’s ceremony, and 26 students from All Saints Catholic Secondary School reaffirmed their citizenship.

Members of the media interested in photos from today’s ceremony should visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Media Relations Unit
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca