Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

Source: McGill University

I had the privilege of attending a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony today. No, not my own (I'm not even approved as a permanent resident yet), but my brother-in-law's wife, who is from Jamaica. The ceremony room was filled with friends and family of the new Canadians. A judge gave a speech before the 81 applicants took the oath of Canadian citizenship. It was an excellent speech; a few things stuck out to me

• Canada is the "Great Experiment": Every American has been told that the United States is the Great Experiment--in democracy. Canada is apparently the Great Experiment in multiculturalism. Long ago the United States was a "melting pot" of ethnicity, but after over 200 years of immigration, people in the US predominantly see themselves as American because they are so far removed from their family's immigration to the States. While the race statistics are even more predominantly white in Canada, and the ancestral breakdown is not as diverse, it seems like a more diverse place. One thing I've noticed here is how many people identify with their ethnicity more than in the states. I feel like people retain their English accents for a while here (I hear them a lot) and it's okay to speak speak your native language (especially if it's French, which is the co-national language). The most common theme I've noticed is a general acceptance of all cultures and a lack of racism. I think that is what is meant by the Great Experiment. They don't just want to have many cultures living together, but they want to do so in an inviting way that promotes the spirit of community, and I think they do that very well.
• 'Many of you have come seeking refuge from oppressive governments, war-torn countries of fallen economies': That we be us. The third one, yeah, that's what we did.
• 'The country is made great through volunteerism': The judge advised the new citizens to volunteer, to become part of the community and help others, and also take advantage of the many programs offered by individuals volunteering to teach youth. I thought this was very wise of him to suggest. 
• 'Canada is the greatest country in the world. Not the most famous. Not the richest. But it is the greatest because it is the best place in the world to raise a family': Whether or not this is true, I cannot say with a great deal of certainty. What I can say is that Calgary is a very family-friendly city, and I am happy to start raising my family here now. 

When he finished, the immigrants stood and took the oath, then each was called to the podium to receive their certificate of citizenship and shook hands with the judge and an RCMP officer, better known by Americans as a Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). I thought this was fitting because you'll be hard pressed to find anything more Canadian than a Mountie in full dress uniform.

The question obviously was asked if I would get Canadian citizenship when I'd become eligible. I could think of three possible advantages of becoming Canadian:

1. I could vote. But seeing that our current riding has given 70% of the vote for the last six elections to an MP who is likely the next Prime Minister of Canada, I'm not sure if that matters much (it would be more important for city elections, though).
2. I could run for office, like City Councilor or the School Board. But hmpf. 
3. I wouldn't have to deal with the US government for a passport, about taxes, about, well, anything. That alone actually might make it worth it.
4. I could be disappointed when my Olympic hockey team doesn't win gold instead of pleasantly surprised when they do well or satisfied as long as they don't trash the Olympic Village housing like they're the Rolling Stones--oops, I don't think that was one of the reasons. But the Olympics are coming! If Ryan Miller or Jonathan Quick get hot, this could be the year (hahaha).