The shortest years of my working life were the three that ended April 28, 2016 when my appointment as a Canadian citizenship judge expired. I remain grateful for the appointment and the experience, and carry with me unforgettable recollections of happy new Canadians, among the finest citizens I have ever been privileged to meet. During my three years, there were 400-450 citizenship ceremonies, at least 40,000 handshakes, hugs, smiles, and photos, thousands of beautiful children, dedicated citizenship department staff, and many special ceremony guests.
It was my honour to greet new Canadians in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Iqaluit, Brandon, Shilo, Clear Lake, Thompson, Winnipeg and Ottawa. I was impressed with the unwavering dedication of members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Forces who attended and stood guard at citizenship ceremonies, adding symbolic colour and bringing with them messages of patriotism and service. It was my duty to remind new Canadians of the wonderful rights we enjoy as Canadians, but also to impress upon them the importance of remembering the awful price paid to preserve those rights, and fulfilling our duties to Canada and our fellow Canadians.
Little did I realize it at the beginning, but I learned more from new Canadians about hope, determination, responsibility and strength of character than I had known in all the years of my life before my appointment. The story of Makda Kavaruganda (not her real name) illustrates this p.