When was the last time you thought about Canadian citizenship?

Institute for Canadian Citizenship celebrates Citizenship Week with ceremonies, tours and compelling conversations

TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Monday, October 21, marks the beginning of National Citizenship Week and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), a national non-profit chaired by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul, is asking all Canadians to make their connection to citizenship: take a moment to welcome a new citizen, play an active role in your community or connect with Canadian culture. The ICC is celebrating with special community citizenship ceremonies and events focused on igniting all Canadians' passion for citizenship.

"Citizenship Week offers a chance for us to push the national conversation on citizenship further, helping more people connect with our country's newest citizens by reflecting on their own citizenship," said Gillian Smith, ICC Executive Director & CEO. "Our programs create a sense of belonging for all Canadians regardless of whether a family has been here for five years or five generations. We're excited by everything that's happening and hope to involve as many as possible."

Curating conversations on active citizenship at grano restaurant with Adrienne Clarkson, John Tory and Ravi Jain

On October 22, Adrienne Clarkson and John Tory will host their third Order! Order! dinner-discussion event at grano restaurant. Order! Order! is a captivating dinner series connecting three groups whose paths rarely cross: members of the Orders of Canada and Ontario; CivicAction's Emerging Leaders Network; and new citizen members of the ICC's Cultural Access Pass program. Moderated by Ravi Jain, the event will explore active citizenship - if Canada's native-born citizens place different expectations on our newest citizens and how we can encourage more people to take action.

Hosting citizenship ceremonies in communities across the country

The ICC's Building Citizenship program welcomes and celebrates Canada's newest citizens by working with a national network of volunteers and its partner, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, to host community citizenship ceremonies with roundtable discussions where community members and new citizens exchange experiences related to being and feeling Canadian. The following six ceremonies have been organized in honour of Citizenship Week:

• October 21: the Royal BC Museum in Victoria will welcome 45 new Canadians from 21 countries and Mississauga's Citizenship and Immigration office will host 53 new Canadians from 21 countries.
• October 22: the Art Gallery of Hamilton will celebrate 40 new Canadians from 16 countries and, on the east coast at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, 41 new Canadians from 16 countries will officially become Canadian citizens.
• October 23: the Stratford Town Hall in PE will welcome 42 new Canadians from 17 countries and Adrienne Clarkson will join students at Seneca College's Markham campus to celebrate 44 new Canadians from 20 countries.

Cultural attractions open their doors to new citizens and their stories

The ICC's Cultural Access Pass program (CAP) is a gift to new citizens and their children, providing a year of free access to cultural places and spaces across the country to connect new citizens to a wealth of Canadian experiences. In honour of Citizenship Week, these CAP attractions are throwing their doors wide-open and inviting new citizen CAP members to bring a guest for free (as many times as they wish):  Aerospace Museum of Calgary, Art Gallery of Alberta, Art Gallery of Ontario, Gardiner Museum (Toronto), Oil Sands Discovery Centre (Fort McMurray), Pier 21 Museum (Halifax), Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington) and Vancouver Art Gallery. And, to deepen their connection to the new citizens who visit them through the CAP program, the following cultural attractions are inviting members to join them for exclusive tours and citizenship roundtable discussions: Art Gallery of Mississauga, Art Gallery of Ontario, Contemporary Art Gallery (Vancouver) and Pier 21 Museum (Halifax).

"In Canada, citizenship enables equal access - it's the most important thing we have and share with one another," said ICC Founder & Co-Chair, Adrienne Clarkson. "All Canadians must be active, engaged citizens - it's the only way our country can continue to grow."

ABOUT THE ICC

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) is a national, non-profit charity that encourages active citizenship through innovative programs, collaborations and unique volunteer opportunities. Founded and co-chaired by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul, the ICC works to: ensure new citizens are welcomed and included as equals; create meaningful connections among all Canadians; foster a culture of engaged citizens; reframe the national conversation on inclusion, identity and citizenship; and celebrate what it means to be Canadian. For more information, visit icc-icc.ca or email [email protected]. Join the conversation by following us on Twitter @ICCICC. 

SOURCE: Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Jess Duerden, Institute for Canadian Citizenship
[phone] ext.225 | [email protected]