Canadians celebrate 61st anniversary of Canadian citizenship from October 13 to 19, 2008

Dozens of special citizenship ceremonies held in communities across Canada from October 13 to 19 as part of the country's Citizenship Week festivities. Hundreds of newcomers from all over the world took the citizenship oath during these ceremonies, and thousands reaffirmed their pride in being Canadian citizens.

Canada’s Citizenship Week is an annual event celebrating the value of citizenship, particularly with respect to the privileges and responsibilities of being a Canadian citizen. It also means the principles of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms are part of common Canadians’ day-to-day interaction with each other; it involves adhering to citizenship values, such as equality, respect for cultural differences, freedom, peace, law and order. This week is celebrated each year during the third week of October.

Throughout 2008, Canadians have been celebrating the 61st anniversary of Canadian citizenship. The theme for this year is My Citizenship.

Each year approximately 250,000 people become Canadian citizens. In 2006, 259,267 people took the oath of Canadian citizenship during 3,926 citizenship ceremonies across the Canada. Since the first citizenship act was enacted, almost 6 million people have been granted Canadian citizenship.

According to the 2001 census, about 84 per cent of eligible immigrants are Canadian citizens.

In 1947, Canada became the first Commonwealth country to gain its own citizenship act when the Canadian Citizenship Act took effect on January 1. Prior to that, Canadians were considered British subjects residing in Canada, not Canadian citizens. Prime Minister Mackenzie King had the honor of receiving the first Canadian citizenship certificate.

Community groups across Canada, working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), have hosted citizenship ceremonies for more than 50 years.