In a citizenship ceremony Sept. 19, 2025 at Red Deer Polytechnic, a new Canadian is greeted by Cree anthem singer Kelley Arnold, and receives a Canada flag from Red Deer RCMP officer, Cst. Jeff Bond. (Supplied/Runmar Visuals)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

welcoming week

111 people become new Canadians in powerful Red Deer citizenship ceremony

Sep 20, 2025 | 12:27 PM

Canada welcomed 111 very deserving new citizens in a special ‘Welcoming Week’ citizenship ceremony Friday in Red Deer.

Held at the Red Deer Polytechnic Arts Centre, the event was hosted by Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership (RDLIP), and was the first held locally since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thirty-one countries were represented among the oath-takers, notes Dieulita Datus-Hall, program manager at RDLIP.

“This was not just a ceremony, it was a collective celebration. Former students from local language programs were greeted by their teachers who came to cheer them on, embodying the powerful journey from learning English to becoming Canadian citizens. Permanent residents in the audience were equally moved, seeing this milestone as something to work toward in their own futures,” Datus-Hall remarked.

Citizenship Judge James Clover (on stage) leads 111 new Canadians and other attendees, through The Oath of Citizenship during a ceremony on Sept. 19, 2025 in Red Deer. (Supplied/Runmar Visuals)

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“Red Deer Polytechnic provided a welcoming venue and was a key partner in making the evening a success. At Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership, we are deeply grateful for the financial support of IRCC and the City of Red Deer, which made this event possible and demonstrates their commitment to fostering belonging and engagement.”

For many, she added, the moment of swearing their oath represented the end of a long search for safety and belonging, and marks a renewed call for people who are already citizens to remain open, welcoming, and supportive of new residents who enrich the nation.

The ceremony was punctuated by reflections from Red Deer Indigenous Elder Donna Bishop, as well as Miete Penedo Costa, herself a former newcomer from Angola, plus Kelley Arnold’s stirring performance of the national anthem in Cree, French, and English, and finally, music provided by Syrian group the Hawa Music Band, as well as Tyler Wallace, pipe major with the Red Deer Firefighters Pipes and Drums.

Dignitaries including Red Deer MP Burton Bailey, and Mayor Ken Johnston, who recently proclaimed Sept. 12-21 as Newcomer Welcoming Week, gave greetings.

Dignitaries and the many people involved in hosting the citizenship ceremony are pictured here. (Supplied/Runmar Visuals)

But perhaps no one’s words were more impactful Friday than those of Citizenship Judge James Clover, who just this year became Canada’s 10th currently serving citizenship judge, covering Alberta and Northwest Territories.

“It’s imparted on me to impress upon oath-takers that today is their special day, and that they make the country more and better, but also that those following behind them to become citizens are no less,” Clover shared in an interview.

“A sense of belonging may come with this ceremony and certificate, or it may come later, but I reassure them they do belong here. I also encourage them to get to know our country and understand it, become part of the history.”

Clover, who has spent a career in the public service ranging from policing in Edmonton, to an international role with the United Nations, plus working on the national parole board, added that he was attracted to becoming Canada’s newest citizenship judge because he couldn’t think of a more awesome responsibility.

Following the ceremony, Citizenship Judge James Clover met with oath-takers, friends and family. (Supplied/Runmar Visuals)

“I do say in my speech that I am so happy when we have witnesses to this event — whether it’s family, friends or the public, they get to see the hard-working people who have made a choice to contribute here, and that all deserve to have their names called to accept citizenship,” he said.

“I’m often surprised when people who were born here realize how special and emotional this day is, and how proud these people are of this country. I encourage Canadians to witness these events.”

For the public, that includes hearing new citizens take a pledge of allegiance to the country, which most citizens have never taken nor even heard of.

To find upcoming publicly accessibly citizenship ceremonies near you, visit this site.