A bunch of proud new Canadians are waving their red and white flags after taking the Oath of Citizenship this week in Kelowna.
A total of 65 local residents became official Canadian citizens on Wednesday at a joy-filled ceremony held at the Rotary Centre of the Arts.
Judge Gerald Pash, Kelowna mayor Colin Basran, MP Dan Albas and representatives from MP Steven Fuhr's and Premier Christy Clark's office were on hand to welcome the new Canadians.
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The Kimpian family has been dreaming of becoming Canadians since their children were born in Hungary more than a decade ago. Seven years ago they began the process, moving to Canada five years ago and becoming Canadian citizens this week.
Josef Kimpian beamed with pride as he looked at his wife and three teenage children.
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Mirasol Paat moved to Canada 11 years ago from the Phillipines and was overjoyed to finally call herself Canadian.
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Rose Archibald attended the ceremony via Golden, B.C. She moved to Golden as a young child from Austria and while Canada has been home for more than 63 years, she was never officially a citizen.
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Former Australian Michael Leszczynski moved to Canada in 1998 and posed for photos for his beaming fiancee as he became a citizen.
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The crowd of about 100 all stood together, current Canadians and brand new, reciting the Oath of Citizenship in both English and French before receiving their proof of citizenship certificates.
Judge Pash presided over the ceremony and had strong words for the new Canadians.
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