MP Tilson participates in Humberview citizenship ceremony

MP David Tilson joined 19 new citizens (some from Caledon) recently. Special guests included Peel District School Board trustee Valerie Arnold-Judge; Sylvia Jones, executive assistant to MPP John Tory; Mark Duley, vice-principal of The Humberview School; Citizenship and Immigration Canada Judge Bombassi, as well as Citizenship & Immigration Canada official Janeth Crosby, and Kelly Darnley, CEO and president of the Caledon Chamber of Commerce.

David Tilson, MP for Dufferin-Caledon, participated in a special citizenship ceremony that was held at The Humberview School, in Bolton, Wednesday, March 7. The ceremony was held in the school's cafeteria.

During the moving ceremony, 22 candidates were officially sworn in as Canadian citizens. The ceremony was performed by a Citizenship and Immigration Canada judge, along with other representatives from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The school's civics classes also observed the presentation, to learn more on meaning and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship.

Tilson addressed the new citizens, as well as the Humberview students during the ceremony and reflected on the rights and responsibilities that come with Canadian citizenship including, "the responsibility to vote, to participate in your community, to be a good neighbour, and to defend our country and its values. When you identify yourself as a Canadian, you not only represent yourself, but you also represent your country and your fellow citizens."

Following the ceremony, Tilson was asked to comment on the success of the morning.

"The Humberview School did a fantastic job in organizing this special event and in working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to make it a success. I was also pleased to see so many civics students participating in this educational ceremony. I'm sure after watching, they now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of what Canadian citizenship represents."