New Citizens Honoured

Members of the Calgary Police Service will join a new group of Canadians as they celebrate their citizenship in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the CPS Diversity Resource Unit and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will welcome 60 new citizens in an annual partnership that recognizes the importance of diversity in Calgary.

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, offers his congratulations to Canada’s newest citizens and expresses his support for the Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Friday, March 21, 2014.

 “As we approach the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we are reminded that multiculturalism helps shape the Canada we know and love today, and is something we should celebrate and be proud of as Canadians,” said Minister Alexander.  “A Canadian citizenship ceremony is a moving and emotional celebration that welcomes new Canadians from diverse backgrounds to become citizens of our great country, and reaffirms one’s commitment to Canadian values and traditions. Today I am proud to join Calgarians in congratulating our newest citizens.”

This year’s ceremony is close to home for the Service as one of CPS’s very own volunteers will be receiving her citizenship after volunteering for three years with the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program.

“The citizenship ceremony is an important day for us to recognize and celebrate with new Canadians, many of whom have had very different relationships with the police agencies in their country of origin,” said Calgary Police Service Supt. Richard Hinse. “This year, we are exceptionally pleased to be there to congratulate one of our own. We can’t do the great work we do without the support of our volunteers and the citizens of Calgary.”

Details of the volunteer’s story and the time and location of the citizenship ceremony will follow in a separate media advisory.