So, citizenship oath and ceremony was today at 10:30am.. mostly in the same room as the exam I
detailed in October as well. This was at Harry Hays in Calgary, AB. Here is what I can best remember since I came home and took a fricken nap after all the running around, talking my voice out, etc. after the ceremony, meeting a lot of people.
- Parked in the Harry Hays underground parking, was $27 for day parking (a lot of cheaper options around the area)
- The elevator I parked by (F section in B level parking) was near the garage entrance, and when going up to the second floor exited right to the hall I needed to wait.
- Waited in an enormous line of people that spanned the entire hallway. Wife is 6 months pregnant and had to sit down somewhere, benches were only at the front of the area, we were at the middle of the line, so she sat on the floor against the wall. 6 year old daughter came as well and we were prepared having entertainment for her with headphones. There were well over 100 people that were there, if I remember the numbers correctly stated by the citizenship judge presiding, 91 new citizens from 26-28 countries.
- So waited in line since maybe 10am, afterwards, when allowed in, we walked to the entry way of the citizenship area that we took the exam for. In the hallway area, guests had to go to the left (where wife and daughter went, they are both born citizens), new citizens to the right. Everyone wound up in the same room, with several coordinators there, guests had either one spot purely on the right side (when facing the front, which would face where we all came from if you ignored the walls), or were able to sit on the left as well. Citizens were definitely in at minimum the middle two sections. The specific numbered seat I had was actually on the citizenship invitation letter. I feel left out in not knowing this prior - was not labeled.
- The line probably took, from start to finish, over 30 mins to get moved from the hallway into the ceremony room to the new citizens assigned seats.
- While waiting in line after 10:30, the clerk who talked to everyone at the front of the ceremony room (later on) walked up and down the line making sure people talking to the citizenship judges (some might think of them as more like CSR for the IRCC but underestimate their say-so, they make crucial decisions - none of them were the
presiding judge, so judge in differing contexts) had their invitation letters and, to my surprise, the media consent forms. I had mistakenly thought they were specifically related to families and consent for minor children who were applying as well. Didn't realize we
have to fill them out to attend. They also wanted me to list my daughter even though my application was only for me, my daughter is a born Canadian citizen, to reiterate.
- A key surprise about this.. they never looked at my original COPR from the day I landed as a PR. I had to ask the judges if they want it. They never looked at any original documents they wanted me to bring -- such as my HS diploma and management degrees (for proof of English language) from the US. In fact, one of them told me specifically to keep it forever, "in case". Wasn't in an argumentative mood even though I was thinking "in case what?". They collected my PR card (thank god, ugliest photo ever) and noted on my citizenship invitation where my seat number was located.
- When everyone was seated the clerk that was roaming the halls helpfully having people fill out their media consent forms detailed for everyone the agenda for the ceremony. Was rather brief, but some important details on whats going on, what to do, what not to do (e.g. guests were not to allow kids to be noisy or disruptive, and of course what to do in the event of emergency.
- Everyone stood, the presiding judge entered, along with a member of the RCMP.
- The judge started, opening with a light joke about a few unhappy babies in the room crying loudly, then went on to speak about the concept of being a citizen, the responsibilities, etc. I agreed almost with everything the presiding judge said, except the part of being "new people". Took maybe 10-20 mins. Then we stood up, the oath was administered by the presiding judge, and they literally had some of the citizenship judges we were in line to see at the start walking up and down the aisles of the ceremony room to make sure people were saying the oath. Even the presiding judge himself was jumping around up front looking at people all over the room to ensure they were saying the oath (he clearly had the oath memorized).
- Then one by one people were called up (looks like in order of seating number) to receive their citizenship certificate, along with a Canada lapel pin, signing some forms for the clerk, shaking hands with the judge (and respectfully addressing him), who asked me a lot about California, and shaking hands with the RCMP officer, thanking him for his service.
- When I sat down and looked at my citizenship certificate, it had a picture. I wasn't sure if this could be used for passport, but after asking clerk, was reminded that he wasn't sure but passport is two photos and there looked like only one along with the certificate (and couldn't be sure it conformed to the necessary specs of Canadian passports). So basically, do new photos.
- Then we all sang O'Canada, a version I had never known or heard, so I just did the one I already had memorized myself since the year I landed as a PR.
- Then the judge announced us all citizens, everyone cheered and applauded loudly.
- When everyone was done, the clerk reminded us the earliest we can apply for passport is next Wednesday (2 business days), then concluded the ceremony, half the citizens filed out, the other half stayed to get pictures with the presiding judge and RCMP officer. Taking pictures with them, they both wanted to know more about the part of California I'm from (northern central valley, and the Bay Area). As usual with my experience, the overwhelming majority of people only know about Southern Cal (like Los Angeles).. still surprises me even though it shouldn't by now.
- Then we left the way we came in.
Overall, I'm just glad this process is over. I was just burned out from paperwork and the stress of the application processes.
Thanks to everyone for their help and information they used. It was vital in helping with the application process, especially the exam (people on the forums finding reputable practice exams - given the way I learn, I couldn't have simply read
Discover Canada and passed the exam), and alleviating the trial-and-error concept and helping prevent me from doing dumb things. Hoping my stories help as a way of paying it forward. I will put them in my sig if it allows me the room to do so.
I might come and post about the post-citizenship passport process, as I plan on applying between Wed/Fri of next week. Beyond that, might post every now and then, or might not be.. if I do go, thank you and goodbye everyone and thank you again!
