Samantha Sannella shed tears of joy by singing the national anthem during her citizenship ceremony in early June, almost three decades after his arrival in Canada.
She had already sang “O Canada” on many occasions, but it was the first time that she did it as Canadian.
Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For a long time, she considered herself as an American citizen, in part thinking that she could return to it one day.
But everything changed last fall.
“Due to the political climate there, I finally decided, after the last American elections, that I was really Canadian at heart and that my house was here with my boys,” said Ms. Sannella, referring to her child and her husband born in Canada.
She will officially celebrate her first Canada Festival as a citizen, a title which, according to her, implies responsibilities.
“Yes, it is a privilege of being a citizen, it is a privilege to vote, it is a privilege to live here. But it is also a responsibility to ensure that it leaves, “she said.
Ms. Sannella explained that the pricing war of American president Donald Trump and discussions on the possibility of making Canada the 51st state have further strengthened her desire to become a citizen.
The tumultuous political context south of the border and growing Canadian patriotic demonstrations in the context of Donald Trump’s threats may also prompt other citizens of the country to ask for Canadian citizenship, added Howard Ramos, professor of sociology at Western University.
When there is a feeling of pride towards a country, other people wish to join and celebrate this identity, he added. “It becomes contagious.”
Always united with the Americans
However, Ramos said that it was too early to say if more people are asking for Canadian citizenship due to trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
This was certainly not the case of Simone Goloven, who has also recently become Canadian and now has citizenship in three countries.
“I was not that person who said to himself:” Oh, I will become Canadian now because I don’t want to be American anymore, “said Goloven, born in the United States and having grown in France. I always feel belonging to the United States and France, and I really have a heartache because of everything that is happening (in the United States). ”
She arrived in Canada in 2013 when she learned that she could study in a Quebec university at the same price as Canadian students thanks to her French citizenship.
She explained that she knew she wanted to settle in Canada when she realized that her origins would be accepted here.
“What’s beautiful in Canada is that we don’t need to give up anything. You can stay yourself, respect and celebrate its culture and its origins, ”explained Ms. Goloven.
However, she added, patriotism in the country has made Canadian “more powerful” than ever.
While celebrating Canada’s Day at a barbecue for new citizens in Sherbrooke, Simone Goloveven explained that she would also keep the country in mind and her relations with Aboriginal communities.
“When I obtained my citizenship, during the appeal, the judge mentioned that as new citizens, it is our responsibility to promote reconciliation, to learn more about our history and not to forget it,” she said.
Christian Jaehn-Kreibaum also celebrates his first Canada Day as a citizen this year. He will spend the holidays to volunteer during a fireworks show in Belleville, Ontario, where he will help participants find their way in parking.
Mr. Jaehn-Kreibaum left Hamburg to settle in Canada in 1999 and explained that he had delayed the obtaining of his citizenship because Germany did not allow double citizenship until last year.
“I finally resumed my minds last September and I said to myself:” Let’s go! ” “, He said.
After taking an oath at a ceremony in Ottawa in mid-June, Mr. Jaehn-Kreibaum said he was especially looking forward to being able to vote and saying to himself Canadian-an asset that people do not appreciate enough.
“Canadians underestimate themselves. They should say more than they are proud to be Canadian, he added. As a German in Canada, I can tell you: “Do you come to the wonderful country you have?” »»
