Video transcript: The in-person Canadian citizenship ceremony

Video length: 4:57 minutes

Over a dark blue background, white text appears. The video is in the form of live action footage.

Text: The in-person Canadian citizenship ceremony

An off-screen narrator reads the video’s information. In the video, in the lobby of a large commercial building with glass walls, lines of people in business or traditional attire stand in front of their chairs. Each has their right hand raised.

Narrator: Congratulations!

A different group of candidates stands in a small room. A projection screen shows an image of the Canadian flag behind them. Their right hands are also raised. In a third room, more candidates raise their hands, including several military members. Behind the group, small pieces of paper with territorial and provincial flags and emblems decorate the walls.

Narrator: You’re about to take the oath of citizenship.

In front of a metal art display with copper-coloured floral designs, a man, boy and two women, all in black business attire, wave small Canadian flags and hold up paper welcome packets. They are smiling.

Narrator: For most citizenship applicants, this is the last step before becoming a Canadian citizen.

In a hall with white walls, a citizenship judge sits at a small table with an RCMP officer in dress uniform. They face the seated candidates.

At another ceremony, two children and a woman applaud from their seats, holding Canadian flags and pieces of paper with the national emblem. The girl wears a pink long-sleeved shirt, and the boy a blue button-down shirt. The woman wears a pink dress with a white hijab.

A man in a burgundy shirt and black vest stands next to a woman with long pulled-back hair, who holds a large feather and wears a fringed leather vest over a white shirt. The man holds a piece of paper with the national emblem. He stands next to colourful Indigenous artwork on the wall and a Canadian flag on a stand. The judge and the clerk stand in front of a doorway.

In the next shot, the citizenship judge stands onstage at a podium in an auditorium setting, addressing a group of citizenship candidates. She stands next to an RCMP officer in dress uniform. Several people in business or traditional attire are seated onstage.

A group of candidates sits in the auditorium.

Narrator: This video provides an overview of what you can expect from an in-person ceremony, so you can be prepared and appreciate the experience.

Candidates and spectators are seated in front of a stage in a large open room with a cement floor. To their left stand several wooden totem poles and a large white Indigenous sculpture.

The camera shifts to a view from behind the spectators, where a man in a light blue button-down shirt sits with other candidates, facing a stage where the citizenship judge is making a speech. Behind the judge, there is a large Indigenous traditional mural featuring a bird, along with a colourful totem pole and other artwork. A television screen in the corner features a large maple leaf and text in black on a white background.

Text: Ma citoyenneté
My citizenship

Narrator: During an in-person ceremony, candidates for citizenship assemble at a ceremony location to take the oath together in front of a presiding official.

A man, woman and two children, a boy and a girl, raise their hands and recite the oath. The girl wears a pink sweater, and the boy a brown and black hooded sweatshirt with a poppy pinned to his chest. The man and women are in black and white business attire and are also wearing poppies.

In a room with white brick walls, in front of a line of flags on small poles, a man in a grey suit shakes hands with the presiding official, who wears a black suit and blue shirt, with several military medals and a poppy pinned to his chest. They shake hands. A woman in black robes with a white collar and a poppy stands near them.

In a darkened room, a citizenship judge sits at a table in front of a projection screen and speaks into a microphone. The screen displays a large Canadian flag. Another flag is on a pole next to the screen. A woman in black at the side interprets the event in sign language.

In a large meeting room, a group of new citizens stands in front of a circular desk with a presiding official, while a woman takes a group photo. Many of the participants hold Canadian flags. Behind them, screens displaying the Canadian flag, and Canadian flags on poles, flank a large window.

Returning to previous footage, the RCMP officer and the woman with the red sash address an audience.

Narrator: They are held year-round across the country and can host multiple candidates, sometimes hundreds at a time.

A large audience is seated in an enormous hall with cement walls.

Candidates recite the oath in a small room in front of a display of provincial and territorial flags and emblems.

A line of candidates stand in a room with blue walls in front of a projection screen with an image of the Canadian flag, reciting the oath with hands raised.

A citizenship judge faces a crowd of people, who recite the oath in a wooden outdoor building. The candidates are wearing winter gear.

Narrator: They may take place in government offices or at venues in the community, such as schools or community centres. They may even be held outdoors. This is a celebratory event, full of emotions and meaning…

In a room with white walls and large windows, the woman in the fringed vest holds up a model of a traditional canoe, along with a feather. A group of candidates stands around her and applauds. Many also hold small Canadian flags. The woman addresses a man and a woman in front of her.

Woman: We get back on this canoe and we ride together.

In a room with tan wooden walls, two men and a woman in business attire sit in their seats, watching a ceremony closely.

Narrator: … as well as an opportunity to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

A woman with long hair and glasses, watching a ceremony, nods in her seat.

White text unfolds over footage of an outdoor ceremony.

Text: Before the ceremony

Narrator: Now, let’s take a look at how your in-person ceremony will unfold, so you can prepare for a memorable experience.

Standing in a room with white pillars and large windows, a group of candidates recites the oath with raised hands.

Guests sitting in chairs observe the ceremony in a large open space, surrounded by Indigenous works of art. One woman holds a small, flat drum on her lap.

A woman in a dark sleeveless dress walks up to her kitchen counter, where paperwork lies scattered on top.

Over the image, an animated email pops up, with a dark blue background filling the screen.

Narrator: At least one week before the ceremony, you will receive an invitation that includes the date and time, the physical location, the length and language format of the ceremony and detailed instructions.

Inside the message is an attachment with text and images. The text is written in black. The word “Invitation” is underlined in green, and there are black-and-white icons of a clock, a location marker, alphabet letters, and an information symbol (the letter “i” in a circle) next to each respective line. A cursor hovers over the text, highlighting the words in yellow as the narrator describes them.

Text: Invitation
Date and time
Physical location
Length and language
Instructions

White text appears on the dark blue background

Text: Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website to learn

• what to bring
• ceremony etiquette
• how to reschedule
• post-ceremony instructions

Narrator: Your invitation and the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website explain what to bring, ceremony etiquette, how to reschedule, as well as post-ceremony instructions.

A group of citizenship candidates stand with raised hands, reciting the oath, in a room with white walls and marble floors. In a small auditorium setting, seated guests wave flags. In a room with deep brown walls and red curtains, two women and a man hand out flags and paperwork to candidates.

Narrator: Being prepared ensures everything runs smoothly and prevents delays. Keep all messages and documents to refer to after the ceremony.

A seated man in a striped white shirt flips over a piece of paper. He sits next to two people—one wears a silver watch and the other holds a small flag. At another ceremony, a man with a black coat examines a piece of paper.

Narrator: Many in-person ceremonies are open to the public and generally, family and friends are welcome to attend.

A baby in a pink dress sits with a man in a black suit, and a woman with a dark dress and red and white hijab. The baby waves a flag.

With a large piece of Indigenous artwork in the background, a man in a pink shirt holds a baby in a blue jean jumper and watches a ceremony.

A boy in a blue and yellow plaid shirt sits in bleachers, waving a flag.

Guests sit in rows, watching a ceremony. A large Indigenous carving is in the foreground.

Narrator: The invitation will tell you how many guests you can bring, as this depends on the ceremony location.

A woman with two boys, all wearing black suits and red shirts, consult with an official at a registration table. Next to them, a woman, a man and two boys, all dressed in blue, are also speaking with an official.

A crowd seated in a large room applauds.

A line of candidates in a smaller room watch the ceremony from their seats. Some hold small flags.

An RCMP officer in dress uniform watches the crowd from the stage in a small auditorium.

At an outdoor ceremony, the citizenship judge is seated at a table and addresses the group with a microphone.

A woman in a suit and white shirt stands near the audience in a theatre setting, using sign language to interpret the ceremony.

Narrator: A ceremony can last one and a half to two and a half hours, depending on the number of candidates and guests. Practise the oath and national anthem in advance. You will be encouraged to say the oath in both official languages.

A group of candidates recites the oath.

In a room with brown and gold patterned walls, a citizenship judge raises her hand and addresses the crowd.

Official: I swear…

Candidates: I swear…

Official: that I will be faithful…

Candidates: that I will be faithful…

From bleacher seating, a group of people sings together. A Canadian flag is draped on a railing.

At another ceremony, candidates wearing poppies wave their flags as they sing.

Candidates in a smaller room stand in front of traditional Indigenous artwork and sing.

Narrator: A bilingual version of the national anthem will be sung at the ceremony. You may choose to sing it in English, French or bilingually.

Standing in the crowd, a woman wearing a white hijab smiles.

An RCMP officer in dress uniform walks in procession down an aisle in an auditorium full of people, followed by a man in leather and beaded regalia, and a citizenship judge in black robes.

Text appears onscreen in white.

Text: The day of the ceremony

Narrator: Now you’re ready for the big day!

A man in a black suit and red tie smiles at the camera.

A man and woman stand together, both wearing tan suits and poppies. Their right hands are raised.

Narrator: For this special moment, we recommend we recommend wearing business attire. Traditional or religious clothing and face coverings are also accepted.

A woman wearing a blue dress, with a yellow and pink patterned headscarf and belt, approaches the stage at a ceremony. She shakes hands with the citizenship judge.

A woman in a black dress and hijab smiles. A little boy in a white shirt sits on her lap, holding a mobile phone. A woman in a houndstooth suit sits beside them.

At another event, a woman wearing a black jacket, a leopard-print scarf and a red hat holds her mobile phone up in front of the crowd.

Two boys in red sweaters with white shirts sit together. One boy waves a flag.

Narrator: You can dress in red and white if you wish, to show your Canadian pride!

Near a cloakroom, a woman in a red sweater speaks to a girl in red and white traditional clothing. The girl wears a red ribbon in her hair. Red and white balloons stand near them. Three women stand behind the girl.

At a registration desk, the woman in the blue dress with the yellow and pink headscarf speaks to an official. Several others are lined up behind her and at the adjoining station.

Narrator: Arrive at the ceremony location at the scheduled arrival time, and bring the documents and items listed in your invitation. There is no need to arrive earlier.

On a sidewalk near a wooded area, a man in a grey jacket and a woman in a red parka show paperwork to a seated official, with a line of people behind them.

A person hands a card to an official at a registration table.

A man in a light pink shirt leans over a table as he talks to an official.

A group of people wearing red, white and black stand around a man as he signs papers at a table. They are next to a bunch of red and white balloons. A woman in a floral hijab stands beside them.

In an industrial-style space with brick walls, a woman in a charcoal jacket and houndstooth skirt signs paperwork as candidates begin to take their seats.

Narrator: You will have to wait before the ceremony begins while all candidates are registered.

A woman in a gray coat holding a Canadian flag smiles and shakes hands with a man in blue.

Several people chat in an anteroom as arriving guests hang up their coats.

A white box with black text appears over a dark blue background. There is a red circle with a white exclamation point.

Text: Reminders
Do not present political or religious views.
Do not present a point of view.
Do not promote an individual or organization.
Do not sell a product.

Narrator: We remind you that the ceremony is not an opportunity to present political or religious views, to present a point of view, to promote an individual or an organization, or to sell a product.

In a sunny outdoor area, a woman in black robes speaks into a microphone.

Next to an indoor podium, a citizenship judge crouches down to shake hands with a girl in a black dress and pink cardigan, and hands her a piece of paper.

A man in a gray shirt and jeans walks onto the stage at a ceremony. He shakes hands with the citizenship judge.

A presiding official wearing military medals and a poppy greets a candidate in a pink shirt.

At another ceremony, the citizenship judge addresses a small group of people sitting in a semi-circle.

Narrator: The clerk of the ceremony, along with the presiding official, will ensure everything runs smoothly. The presiding official may be a citizenship judge or an alternate presider. They will either speak in both official languages or primarily in one language.

In a large hall, a man climbs down steps from the stage as the audience watches.

Narrator: Not all ceremonies are the same. However, you can expect them to include speeches, oath taking, the national anthem and an opportunity for photos with the presiding official and special guests.

An Indigenous leader, holding a wooden object and a fan of feathers, speaks into a microphone onstage.

Candidates recite the oath with their right hands raised, including two small boys in matching striped sweaters, a man in a grey jacket, and a woman with a black jacket and white shirt.

A woman in a black-and-white striped shirt sings into a microphone before a large crowd.

A group of new citizens poses for photos with an Indigenous leader, the presiding official and an RCMP officer in dress uniform.

A man in a suit and a woman in a black jacket pose in front of artwork and ceremony posters with a citizenship judge and an Indigenous leader.

In front of a forest-themed backdrop and three metal sculptures of people, a man, two women and a girl pose for photos with a citizenship judge. A Canadian flag stands behind them.

Onstage, a man in leather and beaded regalia plays a drum and sings. He wears a headdress of feathers.

A woman in a black dress stands in front of a microphone in a large hall, playing a drum.

A man in fringe regalia smiles as he walks in front of an audience playing a drum.

Narrator: To honour our path toward reconciliation, each citizenship ceremony highlights the Indigenous Peoples living in Canada.

Two men in uniform, one with a sheriff badge and one with military medals, stand together as others look on. The man with military medals waves a feather over a bowl with embers as the man with the sheriff badge faces away from him.

A woman in a leather fringed vest holds a feather as she addresses the gathering from a podium. A woman in a floral dress stands beside her.

Narrator: Some ceremonies may include hosts, performers, special guests or special elements, and may highlight important themes.

A man in a blue paisley shirt stands on stage, playing a guitar and singing into a microphone.

In an outdoor setting on a sunny day, new citizens, officials and special guests stand in front of a tipi. Several people wave small Canadian flags.

In front of a large depiction of a raven, a woman in a black ribbon dress gives a speech.

Candidates stand in a hall with wooden walls, with their right hands raised as they recite the oath.

A woman in a black and white sleeveless shirt addresses a small gathering from a podium.

Narrator: Once the oath has been taken and remarks have been given, the ceremony is complete.

Ceremony attendees applaud from their seats.

Outdoors, a man, woman and boy pose in front of a tall poster, which has a drawing of a nature setting and black text. The woman holds a Canadian flag, the boy holds an sign depicting a poutine and the man waves a small sign depicting the Toronto skyline.

At a snack table, a boy in a red shirt looks up at a woman in a tan jacket, as she places a cupcake with a small Canadian flag on a paper plate.

Narrator: In some cases, a reception will follow.

At an outdoor table, a woman in a red and black flannel shirt shows how maple syrup is rolled in snow to create a sugary treat. She hands a completed treat on a wooden stick to a boy as other guests look on.

A man, woman, boy and girl stand at the back of an auditorium as another man takes their picture with a mobile phone. Both children are wearing red shirts. The family smiles as the boy waves a flag.

A person in a crowd waves a Canadian flag.

Narrator: We look forward to welcoming you to the Canadian family!

A boy in a red sweater waves a Canadian flag.

White text appears on the dark blue background.

Text: To find out more about in-person citizenship ceremonies, visit Canada.ca/citizenship

On a black background, we see the department’s logo, a small Canadian flag with the text “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Immigration Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada.” We see the Canada wordmark.