By Sarah Rae

Battlefords welcome new Canadians

Jun 10, 2016 | 5:00 PM

The northwest region welcomed 29 new citizens Friday at a citizenship ceremony in North Battleford. The ceremony took place during the Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre’s A Taste of Culture event this year.

Emelda Escorpiso and her family were a few of the citizens who took the citizenship oath and accepted their certificates during the ceremony at the Western Development Museum.

“We came to this country for the great opportunity to become Canadian citizens and to live in this peaceful country,” she said. “Our main purpose for why we immigrated here to Canada is for the future, a better future for our children.”

Escorpiso first moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2008 and worked as a nanny for two years before she was able to have her nursing degree accredited here and bring her family over. They now live in Wilkie and travelled to the Battlefords for the ceremony.

“We are absolutely blessed and we were so excited today. This is the moment that we’ve been waiting for,” she said.

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After taking the oath of citizenship, each family was called to receive their citizenship certificates. The ceremony culminated with the group singing O Canada in English and French for the first time as official citizens.

Mayor Ian Hamilton congratulated the new citizens in a speech at the ceremony, saying all Canadians share in their excitement and their hopes and dreams for the future of Canada.

“You’re adding to the rich cultural diversity we experience here and we look forward to your continued contributions and your participation in the daily activities of our community,” he said.

Sarah.rae@jpbg.ca

@sarahjeanrae