By Canadian Press

Virtual Canada Day citizenship ceremony celebrates nurses, care workers

Jul 1, 2020 | 2:03 AM

OTTAWA — Nineteen people from 13 different countries will become new Canadian citizens today in a special Canada Day ceremony.

The virtual ceremony takes place this afternoon and will bring together people ranging in age from six to 66 to swear the oath and hear from the prime minister and other dignitaries.

Canada Day citizenship ceremonies are a hallmark of the holiday, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them online — since April 1, there have been over 1,000 virtual events.

Today’s event is also expected to highlight something many Canadians have learned during the pandemic: the crucial role immigrants play in staffing Canada’s health-care system.

Among the new citizens are nurses and personal support workers, including Sweeny Karande and Omair Imtiaz.

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Both say their jobs are a way of giving back to the country and they’re thrilled to officially become citizens today.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2020.

The Canadian Press