Rideau Hall, Tuesday, December 17, 2013

On behalf of all Canadians and in the name of Her Majesty The Queen, welcome to your citizenship ceremony.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to preside over this ceremony.

I am pleased to note the deepening relationship that exists the office of the governor general—specifically, the Chancellery of Honours—and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which enables many of Canada’s honours recipients to administer the citizenship oath.

All recipients of the Order of Canada, as well as Officers and Commanders of the Order of Military Merit, and some members of the Royal Victorian Order, are now invited to administer the oath of Citizenship.

I thank my predecessor, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, for being here today and for her singular leadership on belonging and inclusiveness through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship—founded by she and her husband, John Ralston Saul.

Let me speak directly to each of you here as new citizens and to your loved ones. This is a special moment for you and also for Canada. Taking the oath of citizenship is a solemn and meaningful act, one which transforms your lives and our country for the better.

A commitment to diversity is one of Canada’s greatest attributes and most fundamental values.

That is why, for example, our country bestowed honorary citizenship upon Nelson Mandela, who saw strength in diversity and who strove to unite people in common cause.

Through citizenship we participate in a larger community, in which it is important to seek out and build upon that which unites us and makes us stronger.

And where differences exist, we find opportunities to learn and grow.

This blending of all that we have in common with respect for and tolerance of difference lies behind our greatest successes as a nation.

Indeed, it is the glue that holds Canada together.

You are about to take the Oath of citizenship. As you pronounce the words of the oath, I urge you to take them to heart and recall them daily throughout your life; they are your commitment to do your best for Canada.

Please repeat after me:

I swear
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second,
Queen of Canada,
Her Heirs and Successors,
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
And fulfill my duties
As a Canadian citizen. 

Congratulations, you are now Canadian citizens!

I am so pleased to see you at Rideau Hall today and to welcome you as citizens. I encourage you to get involved in your communities and to play an active role—indeed, you likely already are!

Your contributions are essential to the smarter, more caring nation of which we dream.

Thank you for being here today, and once again, congratulations. I wish you every success in this, your country, Canada.