Today, the Honorable Diane Finley, Minister Citizenship and Immigration Canada held a commemorative citizenship ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Canadian citizenship at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Before 1947, Canadian residents were considered ‘British subjects living in Canada’. On January 1 of that year, the word ‘Canadian citizen’ first appeared on Canadian status documents. The Governor General of Canada and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada were in attendance at the commemorative ceremony that welcomed 17 new Canadian families as Canadian citizens. As stated by Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin, "Today's event marks a milestone for both our new citizens and our country. We should all be proud that Canada continues to be a place where immigrants find hope for the future".