Leo finally gets his ticket home

Posted in: News & Updates by Andre Lau on June 15, 2010

Hamilton, ON—On a bright and sunny morning, 39 candidates representing 27 countries woke up with the excitement of knowing that they were being sworn in as Canadian citizens. At 55 Bay Street North the air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy.  Families, supporters and soon-to-be citizens waited for the glass doors to open—officially ending their long process of becoming a Canadian. Read more…

Human Rights and HIV

Posted in: Blog by Erika Strong on June 14, 2010

On Friday, June 11, Michael and I woke up at the sunless hour of 6 am to trek to Toronto for the 2nd Annual Symposium on HIV, Law and Human Rights put on by Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. I must admit that I was not looking forward to sitting around all day listening to people talk when I was extremely tired (having graduated the day before and possibly having attended a concert). Read more…

The Hamilton Spectator: Citizenship a ticket to the past

Posted in: In the News by Erika Strong on June 12, 2010

By John Burman (The Hamilton Spectator, June 12, 2010)

Leo Johnson and 39 other candidates gave up the first game of the World Cup to become Canadian citizens.

And by a twist of dates, there may not have been a better way for citizenship Judge Sharon Robertson to demonstrate Canada’s multiculturalism to new Canadians.

New Canadians are asked to hold their heritage dear and weave it into their new lives as they embrace the ways and culture of Canada, Robertson told the packed citizenship court at the federal building on Bay Street North yesterday morning. Read more…

My Citizenship: A renewed responsibility for a great opportunity

Posted in: Blog by Leo Johnson on June 11, 2010

Nine years of a brutal civil war, eight years on two refugee camps, twelve years of family separation and four years of stable surroundings yet mentally and emotionally instability tells the story of my 26 years of existence on planet Earth. I had no clue prior to 1989 at age eight that any of these events were going to happen. However, here I am today in Canada. Read more…

To hell with hump day

Posted in: Blog by Michael Pett on June 9, 2010

Today is Wednesday, which means that it’s also hump day for all of us that work Monday to Friday. For many, hump day is a welcomed sign that the work week is almost over. It’s a reminder that freedom and relaxation are just around the corner. Because just like the 1981 Loverboy song says, “Everybody’s workin’ for the weekend.” However, that’s not the case with me. Read more…

2010 FIFA World Cup: Who’s really footing the bill?

Posted in: News & Updates by Erika Strong on June 8, 2010

Hamilton, ON—On June 11, 2010, the most popular sport in the world will be going to South Africa for a month. There are 32 countries involved, which means it matches the 2008 Summer Olympics for the most competing nations in a sports event. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will bring in millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of fans and a whole lot of patriotism. However, the question everyone should be asking is what will it do for South Africa? Read more…