Yesterday my daughter received her Canadian citizenship
certificate. Kids under 19 who are permanent residents get automatic
citizenship, the parent who is already a citizen just has to apply
on their behalf. If they are under 14 (which is the case with my
daughter) they do not have to take a written test or go to an oath
ceremony. My son, who is 16, took his citizenship test today, and
passed. So in a couple of months he gets sworn in and given his
certificate in a group ceremony.
The whole thing has me appreciating the value of a Canadian
citizenship. With it you are guaranteed the right to live, study and
work anywhere in Canada, and to come and go across the border as you
please - for life. But it's not just those things. After all, most
countries that you are a citizen of have similar guarantees. Canada
has an open, progressive and peaceful society, and seems highly
regarded in other parts of the world. Yes, it has its warts like
most countries, but you could do far, far worse. Just ask our
neighbors to the south (and I say that having grown up in the US). I
can't think of a better gift to pass on to my children.
