Citizenship Week

Nova Scotians can take the opportunity to recognize the contributions immigrants make to the province, and the time to appreciate living in a country where rights, freedoms and privileges are enjoyed, during Citizenship Week in Canada, Oct. 16 to 22.

"Canada has historically relied on immigration for nation building," said Immigration Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. "It is as important today, particularly to Nova Scotia, as it was centuries ago.

Immigrants make significant economic, cultural and community-based contributions to the province as they help build businesses, create jobs, generate new ideas and increase diversity.

"By encouraging others to build their futures here we can also help address the depopulation of our communities, aging demographics and the migration of our youth," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "We need and want to attract new immigrants to our province. As Nova Scotians, we all have a role in welcoming newcomers and in helping them settle successfully."

About 175,000 people become Canadian citizens every year. So far in 2006, 1,051 individuals have taken their Oath of Citizenship in Nova Scotia.

"These new citizens recognize what a privilege and honour it is to be Canadian. Sometimes, as Canadian-born, we often take our citizenship rights and freedoms for granted. The week is a good opportunity to reflect on our citizenship and appreciate what it means to be Canadian," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson.