While Canada Day festivities were postponed on July 1,  the City of Côte Saint-Luc did maintain one strong tradition: our citizenship ceremony.

It was Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, then a city councillor and an immigration lawyer by profession, who first came up with this idea over a decade ago. Originally these events were scheduled outside at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Park. However, in order to avoid any last minute changes due to weather patterns we moved it indoors a few years ago at our Aquatic and Community Centre.

Councillors Erdelyi and Tordjman.

With Citizenship Judge Barbara Seal presiding  and Councillors David Tordjman and Steven Erdelyi as emces,  40 new citizens from 16 different countries were sworn in. This is always a wonderful experience to  be part of. Mayor Brownstein, Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA David Birnbaum gave inspiring words of welcome. Judge Seal, speaking so eloquently as usual, provided an extraordinarily warm welcome to the newcomers.

Judge Seal and Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson.

“Life was difficult at times for you,” Judge Seal acknowledged. “Adaptation to every day life, making new friends and finding new jobs. I hope all of these problems have been resolved.”

Judge Seal  led us in a recitation of the Canadian citizenship oath. Everyone on hand took part. Each new citizen, some  composed of small families, were then called to the stage one by one to receive their certificates.

With Mayor Brownstein as children sing O Canada with Judge Seal.

After the singing of our national anthem, everyone was invited to a small reception.

As for Canada Day activities, including the fireworks, will be rescheduled stay tuned. We should have some news Tuesday or Wednesday. It could be as early as next Sunday or as late as  the end of August.