Jennifer Joseph-Beckles has sung the Canadian national anthem many times in the 10 years she has lived in this country, but singing it for the first time as a Canadian citizen brought new meaning to the song.
“It was totally different. I sang it with more sincerity and more meaning. Absolutely,” said Joseph-Beckles.
She was among nine citizenship candidates — all of whom were women — who took part in a citizenship ceremony today at the Civic Centre.
Joseph-Beckles recently moved to the Sault, having spent much of her time in the Brampton area after moving from her native St. Lucia.
It took her about 10 years to come around to the idea of making Canada her permanent home.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a citizen because I love St. Lucia, but here are a lot of opportunities I have here that I would not have back home. So I finally made the decision,” she said.
Today’s ceremony was the first Terry Sheehan’s has attended since becoming the member of parliament for the Sault Ste. Marie riding.
It was also his first opportunity to be back in council chambers since resigning his seat as Ward 2 councillor.
“It was nice to be back in the chamber for such an important event,” said Sheehan.
He couldn’t help but think of his own great-great grandfather’s journey from Ireland to Canada.
“[He] was orphaned on the boat during the potato famine and was taken in by a French Canadian family,” said Sheehan.
“We remember our histories, we remember our cultures. That’s part of being Canadian. We celebrate who we are — whether you’re Polish or Italian or from Pakistan or Africa. It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” said Sheehan.
He said the current tone across the border during the Republican presidential primaries — in which candidate Donald Trump is suggesting the U.S. close its borders to Muslims — does not reflect Canadian values and beliefs.
“We’re a warm, welcoming, compassionate country that welcomes all people. That is what makes Canada great,” said Sheehan.
He is proud of his Liberal government’s on-going work to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada in the coming months, including some to Sault Ste. Marie.
“It’s Canada’s role to be that kind of Country and open our doors. We do it in such a way that provides security and safety and health for all. We’re getting the job done. It’s amazing.”
Sheehan said he is working with the local immigration partnership to help facilitate the welcoming of refugees to the Sault.
“Any assistance needed from myself or my office will be provided,” Sheehan said.
Algoma University, as well as various church groups and private citizens are leading the local effort to bring refugees to the city.
“They’re all stepping up to the plate. We should be proud of that, the work all those groups are doing,” said Sheehan.
The citizenship official who presided over today's ceremony implored the new citizens to share their culture with other Canadians.
For Joseph-Beckles, those words were a relief.
“If I had to give up my beliefs, my religion, my cultural background — anything I would have had to give up — I think I would have politely declined becoming a citizen.”
(PHOTO: Four of the nine new citizens sworn in today are seen taking the oath of citizenship at the Civic Centre. The oath is the last step in becoming a Canadian citizen. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)