FRANCAIS

December 14, 1999

Thirty-eight new citizens were officially welcomed to Canada today at a Citizenship Court hosted by Becky Barrett, minister responsible for multiculturalism.

The event at the Legislative Building continued a 52-year tradition of welcoming immigrants as they take their oath of citizenship and accept the rights and responsibilities of being a Canadian.

"This is my first opportunity to attend a Citizenship Court as minister, and I am honoured to welcome these new citizens to our nation and our province," said Barrett. "Like so many immigrants before them, these individuals have chosen Manitoba as the place to pursue their dreams. As they realize these aspirations, they help build a more promising future for all Manitobans."

Barrett said the provincial government is introducing new initiatives to promote the profile of citizenship in the next millennium. One of these projects is a bilingual citizenship information kit that will soon be available to the public as reference material at public libraries throughout the province. The kits include information on topics such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canada and Manitoba symbols and emblems, community services, government and the justice system.

"To fully enjoy and appreciate the privileges of citizenship, it’s important that we learn more about these topics," the minister said. "The kit contains information that is valuable for all citizens, whether we have lived here since birth or have just arrived from a far-away land. I invite all Manitobans to learn more about our country by accessing this kit at their local libraries."

To promote citizenship awareness among youth, the province is also inviting Senior 3 students to design posters depicting their ideas about citizenship. A call for submissions has been sent to all Manitoba schools, with submissions due by Feb. 15, National Flag Day.

- 30 -