Thirty new Canadians take citizenship oath at Kitchener ceremony

CTV Kitchener: New Canadians take citizenship oath 30 people celebrate their first Canada Day as Canadian citizens. Leena Latafat reports

At a ceremony at Woodside National Historic site, 30 people, from different countries and cultures spent their very first Canada Day as Canadian citizens.

In taking the citizenship oath, the group swore to be faithful to the Queen, the laws of Canada and to fulfil their duties as Canadian citizens.

Laila Kawarit came from Syria nine years ago, today she became a Canadian citizen.

“It’s a great day, I am so happy… We left our family there [Syria] that’s sad, but this is a great place for my kids,” said Kawarit.

Five years ago, Sulbha Nagpal, left her home in northern India to come to Canada. The idea to emigrate wasn’t hers, but instead her husbands.  Today she reaffirmed her decision to move, and become a Canadian citizen.

“I love the way people welcome you they are always smiling. Where ever you go they are always ready to help you I really love that,” said Nagpal.

The Canadian "friendliness" was part of the culture shock for Nagpal, who says she now tries to pay it forward as much as possible.

“I am trying to incorporate that in myself. Where ever I go I try to help people as well.”

Nagpal says while she is happy she is now a Canadian citizen, she is most excited about her daughters future. Just a few years old and she already knows how to speak English, Punjab, and  Hindi, and she hopes she can soon introduce her to French and Spanish.