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Canine campaign
A new phone line for the public to report bee swarms also helps preserve local bees. News, Page A3
An Esquimalt man’s efforts to see leashed dogs allowed on buses is picking up steam. News, Page A5
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria
Glad to become Canadian Families gain citizenship at CFB Esquimalt, courtesy the admiral of Canada’s West Coast navy Erin McCracken News staff
Megan Bott, 12, looks forward to one day voting in an election, now that she is a newly minted Canadian citizen. “Not being able to vote is like not being able to have a choice in who leads,” the Grade 7 North Saanich middle school student said. She was one of four children and 54 adults, representing 22 countries, who officially Erin McCracken/News staff became Canadian citizens at a ceremony at Rear Admiral Nigel Greenwood, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, and Cub Scout CFB Esquimalt last Thursday. Miles Packham, 9, are all smiles following a citizenship ceremony at CFB Esquimalt last Megan, younger brother Matthew, 11, and Thursday. Sixty people from 22 countries became Canadian citizens at the event, including their parents emigrated from Guernsey island Miles, who is originally from London, England. in the English Channel in 2004 and now call North Saanich home. At the ceremony, one of the final steps to recipients of the Order of Military Merit. Saanich resident, a Grade 5 student at Torquay becoming a citizen was for each candidate Prior to that, guest presiding officers elementary. to recite the Oath of Citizenship, led by Rear included the governor general, lieutenant Her mother and father, who hail from China, Admiral Nigel Greenwood, governors and Order of Canada also became Canadian citizens. commander of Maritime Forces recipients. Miles Packham, 9, decided to wear his Cub “… if I’m going Pacific. The oath is a promise “In finding your place in Scout uniform to mark the occasion. to meet the admiral, I of loyalty to the Queen, Canada, as its newest citizens, “I could have worn plenty of other things,” that Canadian laws will be you can claim the common said Miles, a Grade 4 student at the Victoria thought I should look followed and that new citizens’ history of all Canadians School for Ideal Education in Oaklands. “But something slightly the collective will respect their duties as who have come before you,” if I’m going to meet the admiral, I thought I Canadians. same as the admiral.” Greenwood told the candidates. should look something slightly the same as the Greenwood’s involvement He came to Canada from admiral.” – Cub Scout and new marked the first time in He and his parents built a new life in Saanich Canadian, Miles Packham England as a child. Western Canada that a military Selena Chen, 10, who moved to after leaving their home in London, England member administered the Oath Canada from the U.S. when she about five years ago. of Citizenship. was two, said her new citizenship “feels good.” Miles’ citizenship has been a long time Last October Jason Kenney, federal “It’s important, because we’ve been living coming. “I’m finally a Canadian citizen,” he said, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and here for quite a long time, and we’ve been before taking a big bite of red and white cake. Multiculturalism, gave that privilege to waiting to become citizens of Canada,” said the emccracken@vicnews.com
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David Foster and friends kick off party in the city Victoria’s favourite musical son reignites the city’s celebritywatching fires this week. Starting on Friday (May 25), he’ll host a series of events as part of the David Foster Miracle Weekend, a fundraiser for children needing organ transplants. On Page A22, we tell the story of one such recipient, and offer more details about the weekend.
Don Denton/News staff
David Foster and other celebrities will walk the red carpet Friday in front of the Fairmont Empress.