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Ottawa, June 27, 2012 — Gerald W. Pash has been appointed as Citizenship Judge in British Columbia, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. Two other citizenship judges, Aris Babikian and Floyd Babcock, have been reappointed in Ontario.
Mr. Pash is a well-known member of the Victoria community. Following a 27-year career in radio broadcasting, he worked for the Department of National Defence for 22 years as a public affairs officer at the Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters, in Victoria, B.C. In his civilian occupations and as a Canadian Forces reservist, where he holds the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, Mr. Pash has received several awards in recognition of his commitment to active, engaged citizenship. These include the Greater Victoria United Way Bronze Leadership award, the Rotary Foundation Fellowship, the Royal Canadian Legion National Media Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Etobicoke in June 2009, Floyd Babcock has extensive international and cross-cultural experience. As a leader in the charitable sector, Judge Babcock has a significant understanding of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. He has made valuable leadership contributions in assisting non-profit organizations in areas of organizational development and cultural change within society. Born in Saskatchewan, Judge Babcock holds a master’s degree in theology from Queen’s University and a doctorate degree in cultural anthropology from the Asbury Theological Seminary, in Kentucky. Judge Babcock will now serve the Mississauga community.
Appointed Citizenship Judge for Mississauga in June 2009, Aris Babikian acted for over 18 years as citizenship and immigration advisor to the Social Services Office of the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto. He has also served as President of the Armenian National Federation of Canada, Secretary of the Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC), and Agent General for the National Ethnic Media and Press Council of Canada. As a journalist and author, Judge Babikian has appeared on numerous television and radio talk shows, and his articles have been published in numerous Canadian and international publications. He has received many awards and accolades for his voluntarism, among which are the Ontario Volunteer Service Award (25 years of service), The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Canada’s 125th Confederation Commemorative Medal, and the National Ethnic Press and Media Council (Human Rights/Social Justice Award).
Citizenship judges are appointed for a three-year period and are responsible for making decisions with regard to citizenship applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens.
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For further information (media only), please contact:
Alexis Pavlich
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
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.
