Just wanted to share my experience with you all.

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\"Your 4.5 years of sacrifice is reaping fruits today!\" commented my room-mate yesterday morning while saying \"best of luck\" to me. I was going for my Canadian Citizenship oath.

Route was new to me. Took a TTC bus to go there. Elections are coming, government is eager to get more voters! My oath ceremony is at Q-Ssis Place Banquet Hall in Scarborough. By the time I went there, there were hundreds of would-be Canadians already there.

The notification I received is printed on a green paper. When I reached there, I saw everyone holding out their notices and they are in different colors. Like blue, orange, pink and green. I was wondering what could be the meaning of these color codes! I got the answer. First all Pinks were let in. After them, orange, then Blue and finally Green paper holders.

Inside, all would-be Canadians were seated in the centre with each colors as a group. Each chair had a number on it and your seat number is written on your Oath notice. We all took our seats and very friendly councilors helped all those who failed to find their seats. All the accompanying guests were seated on either side of the hall. Obviously they all were ready with different kinds of cameras in hand to capture the very moment of their dear ones getting a new country citizenship.

First, we all lined up to show our Landing paper and submit our PR card. For those with landing paper, they put a stamp which said \"The holder Is No Longer Permanent Resident\" in column 43 of the Landing Paper. PR cards were confiscated. Funny, those councilors were making rounds pleading people to return the pens from their desks

Secondly, we all took Canadian Citizenship oath along with the Judge in English and French.

Third, we all lined again to get our magic card.. Citizenship Card!!

After the judge's closing remarks, finally, we all sang \"O Canada\", our new nation's anthem.

For those who want exclusive pictures, those judges posed for our cameras.

Some interesting stuff..

On that day, people from 50 odd nations gathered to take citizenship oath. There were total 450 people that day. Most coming from Sri Lanka, then, India, China, Pakistan respectively.

A Canadian citizen can apply for Canadian passport by sending your citizenship card (in original), two photo IDs (original or notarized). A Canadian passport is valid only for 5 years and you cannot renew your passport. You have to re-apply when your passport expires.

I sent my application in July 2003 and took oath on June 08, 2004. But for many others process time is less than this.

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I am not Bossy! I just have better ideas!!

Great to hear. Best wishes . Must have been an emotional day.

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I once made a mistake, but I was wrong about it.

hay...
I was there too with a blue paper in the front right hand so u post the story that i was trying to tell
thanks