Gustavo Suarez Ortega, from Mexico City, right, was proud to join his family to become a new Canadian citizen. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

O Canada!

Opportunity, peace: Proud day as many become Canadian citizens

May 31, 2019 | 3:06 PM

Gustavo Suarez Ortega couldn’t help but smile as he sat with his family waiting for their names to be called so they could be granted all the rights of Canadian citizenship.

From Mexico City, he said he appreciates how welcoming the nation is to newcomers.

“I find Canada gives more opportunities for everybody,” he said. “They try to be more peaceful, and more friendly with all the people in Canada, and in other countries as well.”

More than 100 people officially became Canadian citizens during a ceremony at the Western Development Centre in North Battleford on Friday.

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Florante Ang, left, and Jay Yabut, both from the Philippines at the citizenship ceremony, Friday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

From Manila, Philippines, Jay Yabut, 45, and Florante Ang, 39, were both wearing their finest attire as they readied to take the oath.

The colleagues both live in Lloydminster and drive a Zamboni at the arena.

However, Yabut said with a laugh, he has never been on the ice and still hasn’t tried skating despite living in Canada for eight years.

He said this day will always be very special for him.

“I’m so happy,” Yabut said. “I’m blessed to be a part of Canadian society.”

Yabut wanted to come to Canada as there is more opportunity.

“The people in Canada are so nice,” he said, adding he appreciates Canadian hospitality.

Yabut’s wife and two children are still in the Philippines but will come to Canada next year to join him.

“I like it in Canada because we have multi-culturalism here, and (all) people are equal,” Ang said, adding: “I love the government; and the way they run it. I love it here.”

Ang’s wife, son and daughter already live in Canada.

The ceremony’s presiding official Jim Miller said he believes this was one of the largest citizenship ceremonies he’s worked over the past four years.

“This is the culmination of a lengthy process new Canadians go through,” he said.

Immigrants need to pass a citizenship test before being invited to the ceremony. During the ceremony, they take the oath of citizenship.

Miller said many new Canadians come from South Asia, the Philippines, Africa, and to a lesser extent, Europe.

Tessa Luiz has lived in North Battleford for six years after immigrating from India to join her husband. who is a social worker.

While cradling a small baby in her arms waiting for her name to be called to receive her certificate, Luiz said she was excited to finally have the honour.

“If feels great,” she said of the special day.

She said she loves living in North Battleford and loves Canada, but she conceded shyly, she does find it a bit too cold during the winter.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow