SPECIAL CITIZENSHIP EVENTS DURING CELEBRATE CANADA AND CANADA DAY WILL CREATE 4,000 NEW CANADIANS
OTTAWA, June 25, 2002 -- The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced today that some 4,000 people will become Canadian citizens during the ten days of Celebrate Canada, June 21 to July 1.

Close to 60 special citizenship ceremonies will take place in citizenship offices, legislative buildings, museums, historic sites and outdoors in parks. On Canada Day alone, almost 2,200 new Canadians from over 120 countries will take the oath of citizenship at 32 different citizenship ceremonies across the country.

Minister Coderre will attend his first Celebrate Canada citizenship event on June 25 in Mississauga. In cooperation with the Royal Canadian Mint, the Minister will launch a commemorative coin design contest for young people and then preside over a special ceremony where two citizenship judges will induct 200 newcomers from 80 countries into our Canadian family.

"I am really looking forward to welcoming these new Canadians during this special time. I am planning to attend several different citizenship ceremonies during Celebrate Canada, including two on Canada Day," said Minister Coderre.

"I would like to invite all Canadians to do the same. Citizenship ceremonies are not just for new Canadians -- it is an experience everyone should have, especially for those who were born here and have never had the opportunity to affirm their commitment to Canada. Although I have attended many such ceremonies since taking up my portfolio this winter, I never cease to be moved as I recite the oath of citizenship along with the new Canadians,"

He said "All newcomers who become Canadians on Canada Day will receive a white pine seedling", provided by the Tree Canada Foundation and a commemorative 25-cent coin, issued for the occasion by the Royal Canadian Mint