By Barbara Simpson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
When Alexis Lord first visited Sarnia 12 years ago, it was love at first sight.
The mechanic returned to Guyana knowing he wanted to bring his family to the city. He and his wife Nicole later made the brave move with their four children to a new country in 2007.
“I just fell in love with the place,” Alexis recalled.
The pair also knew more freedoms and opportunities awaited their children in Canada.
Five years later, the Lords – with three of their children Devon, 23, Nicholas, 17, and Nessa, 12 – sealed the deal Thursday. They officially became Canadians at Sarnia’s first citizenship ceremony in at least a decade.
“It feels great,” Alexis said afterwards, as he snapped photos of his children holding up their citizenship certificates.
Twenty-five candidates from 13 countries took the oath of Canadian citizenship at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre Thursday. Family and friends cheered as the new Canadians received their certificates and shook hands with local dignitaries.
The moment brought back memories for Chandrika Patel.
“I had tears in my eyes when I saw the ceremony,” she said.
Patel, who emigrated from Zambia 19 years ago, now works as the manager of newcomer and immigrant services at the YMCA Learning & Career Centre.
Patel said she is pleased to see a citizenship ceremony hosted in the city again.
“I think it’s great because a lot of our clients have trouble with transportation and going to other cities for the ceremony,” she said.
Suzanne Quinn, a counsellor with ACFO de London-Sarnia, said she was also quite excited to see immigrants who had received help through the organization officially become Canadians.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley was lauded for his efforts to bring back a citizenship ceremony to Sarnia. Bradley sent a letter to Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, requesting the service be returned to Sarnia.
Tony Dagnone, a member of the Order of Canada, presided over the ceremony. A variety of local dignitaries were also on hand and exchanged jokes about Canadianisms, such as a love of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the use of the word “eh.”
Recent immigrants weren’t the only ones to receive citizenship Thursday.
David John Warner, who emigrated from England 38 years ago, decided to take the oath in front of family.
“I suddenly had a feeling that I needed a sense of belonging,” the Strathroy retiree said.
Bradley, whose Irish family emigrated from Australia, reminded the new Canadians that they’ve now joined another family.
“We all came together in separate boats, but keep in mind we’re in the same boat now,” he said.
Posted in: Headlines