THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association says it has good news for people looking to take their oath of citizenship in the region next month — this time, they can do it in person.
The organization told Newswatch it has secured the services of staff from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in Winnipeg to conduct the first in-person citizenship ceremony in the city since they went all-virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s slated to be held in March.
“We really like the fact that it's going to be in person,” said Cathy Woodbeck, the executive director of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. “We've watched a couple of them online where you sit in front of your computer, the judge is on the other side, you don't see a crowd of people doing this, sometimes they’re faces on a screen, but that's about it.”
“You don't sing O Canada all together, you don't recite the oath all together, you can't bring your whole family to celebrate with you,” she continued. “There's a feeling, a camaraderie, a real sense of pride in everyone that's taking the oath and becoming a citizen.”
Woodbeck said that once they became aware of local lobbying efforts to bring in-person ceremonies back, they reached out to federal citizenship officials in Winnipeg (who used to perform the ceremonies here) about doing so.
In-person ceremonies had already returned to other larger cities.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff are responsible for administering final testing for candidates prior to them taking the oath of citizenship.
Some citizenship candidates have already taken their tests in advance, Woodbeck said, while a few others may do it closer to the scheduled ceremony date, usually the day before.
The multicultural association typically is responsible for coordinating things like finding a sponsor to help with a reception, acting as a point of contact for information about logistics and being the location where candidates can do their final testing.
“Other than that, we just show up and help out in any way that wen can,” Woodbeck said. “Our staff have most likely met a lot of the candidates, have helped them with other things throughout their journey and immigration to Canada and to Thunder Bay.”
“Being in the venue wherever it happens is such a different experience,” she continued. “Everyone together congratulating each other and (it’s a) very proud moment and families are celebrating.”
Woodbeck said it’s too early to pinpoint exactly how many people will be taking the oath this time around or who will officiate the ceremony.
