News Release – Members of the Order of Military Merit can preside at citizenship ceremonies

Ottawa, October 18, 2011 – Members of the Order of Military Merit are now eligible to preside at citizenship ceremonies, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“I am very pleased to empower the extraordinary recipients of this honour to preside at citizenship ceremonies, and I’m particularly happy to make this announcement during Canada’s Citizenship Week,” said Minister Kenney. “This is a fitting reminder that we must take our responsibilities as citizens very seriously, and that we honour the Canadians who have served and are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Although citizenship judges preside at most citizenship ceremonies, occasions arise where they are not available. On such occasions, recipients of the Order of Military Merit may be invited to preside at a ceremony. This is an honorary role, in which the volunteer ceremony presiding official speaks to new citizens about the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship, administers the Oath of Citizenship and presents a citizenship certificate to each new Canadian.

The Order of Military Merit, established in 1972, recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces. Many of these individuals have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty, and the Order honours them for their commitment to Canada.

Members of the Order who are at the Colonel level and above are eligible to preside at citizenship ceremonies.

Photo of Minister Kenney available at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Candice Malcolm
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

CIC Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.