Citizenship ceremony in Stratford welcomes 31 new Canadians

Thirty-one people from 15 different countries became Canadians Wednesday at a ceremony in Stratford, P.E.I.

People from 15 countriespledged allegiance to the Queen, receivedtheir certificates of citizenshipand were officially declared Canadians. They also sang the national anthemas Canadians.

"Like all other people here today, I was waiting for this day for a long time," said AliSiadat, who moved to Canada from Iran five years ago."Now, I'm just happy, full of excitement to be here and become a Canadian citizen formally."

Siadat said he faced many challenges when moving to Canada, including learning a new language and experiencing Canadian winter. In the end, he said it was all worth it.

"I chose Canada as my home, as my new home, because I found Canada is one of the best countries in the world, maybe the most peaceful ones the most diverse country in the world, with lots of friendly people, lovely people."

Azizun Nahad became a citizen Wednesday after moving to Canada from Bangladesh eightyears ago.

Her daughterDihan Ahsan became a citizen sixyears ago, and said she is very happy her mother is now a Canadian too.

Ahsan said the people she's met in Canada specifically P.E.I. have made all the difference.

"The people here [are]very helpfuland caring. And when we came here first, I had nobody here. So, people here are so friendly and helpful and I didn't feel like alone, by myself," saidAhsan.

Charlottetown MP Sean Casey encouraged the new Canadians during the ceremonyto become engaged citizens, including exercising their right to vote.

Siadat said being able to vote is one of the things he is most excited to do as a Canadian.

"I would like to be a part of the community who want to make a better country, who want to develop the quality of the country. And it's so exciting."

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