Hon. Danièle Henkel: Honourable senators, last week we celebrated Citizenship Week in Canada, and this year, I really got an insider’s experience. Yesterday, I had the privilege of giving a speech at a citizenship ceremony in Ottawa. Before me sat 92 people who were preparing to take the oath of citizenship, each with their own journey, story and reasons for choosing Canada. Among them were two people who are especially dear to me: my Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Dimitri, and his husband Thomas, who were accompanied by their twin girls, Adèle and Nina.

When one of your staffers says they have good news, you’re never sure what to expect, but it is an excellent surprise to hear them say, “I’m becoming a Canadian.”

Colleagues, if you’ve never attended a citizenship ceremony, let me describe to you what I witnessed there. I saw people from over 30 countries raising their right hand and taking a solemn oath. I saw screens displaying pictures of Canada’s landscapes and the diversity of our people. I also heard strong and touching messages from representatives of Canada’s First Nations and I heard “O Canada” sung with tears of joy in people’s eyes and with voices thick with emotion.

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When these individuals are recognized as Canadian citizens, something shifts in their eyes: a quiet pride; relief, sometimes; and a new, official sense of belonging.

For those of us who have lived through this journey of immigration, leaving one country to adopt another, this ceremony brings back deep memories.

Beyond the human values that define our country’s reputation, being a Canadian citizen also means accepting responsibilities, respecting our laws, participating in our democratic life and contributing to our collective prosperity.

Colleagues, these ceremonies leave a mark. Let us preserve them.

For all these reasons, I extend the following invitation to you: Please attend a citizenship ceremony, even just once. You will not leave unchanged. Thank you. Meegwetch.