By Canadian Press

Refugee and chocolate maker Tareq Hadhad to become Canadian citizen today

Jan 15, 2020 | 2:13 AM

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia chocolate maker who came to Canada as a Syrian refugee will become a Canadian citizen today.

Tareq Hadhad, the founder of Peace by Chocolate in Antigonish, is to take part in a citizenship ceremony at Pier 21 in Halifax this morning.

Hadhad’s family had made chocolates in Syria for more than 20 years, but their factory was destroyed in a bombing that forced them to leave the country.

Peace by Chocolate opened for business in 2016 and now ships its confections around the world.

The company employs locals in Antigonish and newcomers to Canada.

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Hadhad wrote his citizenship test last month and says he passed with a perfect score.

“I will be travelling around the world proudly saying that ‘I am a Canadian.’ It is the biggest honour of my life,” Hadhad said in a statement at the time.

The rest of his family is expected to receive their citizenship later this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2020.

The Canadian Press