Madam Speaker, on September 26 a citizenship ceremony was held in Mill Cove, Nova Scotia. Forty-seven people, who originally came from 20 different countries, took the oath of citizenship at Apostogan Consolidated Elementary School. They did so in the presence of the school's 100 students who greeted them wearing the red and white of the Canadian flag.
Every year Canada welcomes more that 150,000 new citizens in ceremonies that provide a source of precious memories for all who attend. For Canadian children these ceremonies are an excellent opportunity for them to open themselves to the world and to be introduced to the importance of citizenship. Children discover, in a way that cannot be taught by books or by television, the profound sense of belonging that real people of different backgrounds feel with regard to our country.
I wish to congratulate the school and the young people for having organized that type of educational activity.