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Gatineau, July 1, 2012 — Fifty-seven people became Canada’s newest citizens at a special ceremony at the Canadian Museum of Civilization today.
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney marked the occasion by launching the newest audio version of the popular citizenship study guide, Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. A number of individuals participated in the recording of the new audio guide, including several high profile Canadians.
“For Canadian citizenship to be meaningful, we need to share a common understanding of our rights and responsibilities, our history and our values,” said Minister Kenney. “Thanks to the newest Discover Canada audio guide – and the prominent Canadians who have helped bring the story of Canada to life – the importance of citizenship is now accessible to more people.”
CIC is grateful for the participation of all who have provided their voices and time in the recording of the new audio guide. Some of the readers include television journalist Ian Hanomansing, actor Albert Schultz, operatic tenor Richard Margison and professional narrator Jean-Benoît Rainville.
The audio version of the study guide is available for free download on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/DiscoverCanada.
Today’s ceremony also marked the expansion of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass (CAP) to include VIA Rail. This means that new Canadian citizens who are participants in the CAP program will be offered a one-time 50% discount off the lowest available fare (one way or round trip, in any class, no blackout periods) on VIA Rail. The offer is also extended to up to four of their minor dependent children.
“Our government is proud of this new offer from VIA, and together we invite Canada’s newest citizens to live a Canadian experience,” said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). “These reduced fares give new Canadian citizens another way of traveling to the sights in the country they have chosen to make their home.”
The CAP program provides new Canadian citizens and their children with a year of free access to more than 1,000 Canadian attractions from museums and historic sites to national and provincial parks to help citizens explore the country.
“Our collaboration with VIA Rail is a dream come true to someone like me who was once a new Canadian wishing to discover a new country,” said The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Institute for Canadian Citizenship Co-Founder and Co-Chair. Madame Clarkson is also one of the voices on the new Discover Canada audio guide.
This Canada Day, approximately 1,500 people will take the Oath of Citizenship at more than 30 special citizenship ceremonies across the country.
Visit the CIC website to find out about Canada Day citizenship ceremonies happening across the country and test your knowledge of Canadian history with our “How Canadian
are You, eh?” quiz.
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Photo of Minister Kenney will be available later today at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp.
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.
