Cadets welcome 49 new Canadians at Montreal citizenship ceremony

Forty-nine new Canadians received citizenship Saturday at an event organized by the cadets of a local Montreal squadron. 

The cadets at 588 Squadron welcomed the new citizens with open arms at the Centre des Loisirs de Saint-Laurent in an event designed to celebrate unity and diversity.

“We are taught early on in this country that you can do anything and you can make anything possible,” Chris Velentzas, a Warrant Officer First Class with 588 Squadron, told CityNews.

“Three of my grandparents actually immigrated directly from Greece to here. So they immigrated around the ’50s. So for me I feel like as if we have gone full circle. One day they were part of the ceremony and I am aiding in it.”

There were Canadian flags and smiles all around, with the new Canadians each having their own reasons to celebrate.

“I came here so I can further my studies and have a brighter future,” said Sean Rastgoftar, a young boy from Iran.

“It was amazing. Finally a Canadian citizen. Woo!”

France’s Clement Blenquet, who has lived in Canada for six years and married a Canadian, said he was very proud.

“Really grateful to be part of this family,” Blenquet said. “Canada is a wonderful country with wonderful people, wonderful landscape from east to west. So, yeah, really happy today.

The citizenship ceremony included an official handing out of certificates, a reception, and the playing of the national anthem.

“Canada has always been a shining beam of light for happiness and unity within the world and I feel like it is a great honour to perform this duty for our citizens,” Velentzas said.

The event was attended by Emmanuella Lambropoulos, federal MP for Saint-Laurent, and Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent.