Sunday October 21 will close out Citizenship and Immigration Canada's annual Citizenship Week, "a time we dedicate each year to celebrate our shared values of respect, freedom and justice, and reflect on what it means to be Canadian." Hundreds of people have become Canadian citizens this week and hundreds more have reaffirmed their allegiance to Canada at the many citizenship ceremonies across the country.

This year marks the 60th anniversary ofCanadian citizenship . Before Canada obtained its own citizenship legislation in 1947, residents were considered British subjects living in Canada, rather than Canadian citizens. Since then, nearly six million people have been granted Canadian citizenship, approximately 160,000 per year.

"As we celebrate the 60th anniversary, we reflect on the cornerstones of Canadian citizenship – the values of freedom, respect and belonging. These values that are deeply rooted in the Canadian psyche are also expressed in the way we live out lives and build a stronger Canada," states Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Diane Finely.