New immigrants to Canada take part in a swearing-in ceremony at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. (SHANE GIBSON / METRO WINNIPEG)
WINNIPEG — A citizenship ceremony Tuesday at the Manitoba Legislature welcomed 40 new Canadians to the country.
Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick presided over the special Diamond Jubilee swearing-in ceremony.
“Few events are more inspiring than a ceremony to welcome new Canadians,” Selinger said. “Manitoba continues to attract skilled professionals and their families through our Provincial Nominee Program that has become a model for the country. As these new Manitobans put down roots here, they are helping drive our economy and build a prosperous future for all Manitobans.”
Besides a provincial welcome certificate, the new citizens received a Diamond Jubilee pin, a flag to reflect Her Majesty’s special Diamond Jubilee year and a commemorative photo as a memento of their accomplishment.
More than 70,000 new immigrants have come to Manitoba since 1999 — 12,000 alone in 2011.
