OPINION: In order to be a GOOD CANADIAN- you MUST LOVE CANADA!!!

I was reading a post on Facebook, about an individual who had recently passed their Citizenship Examination. The person was encouraging others, suggesting that the examination was easy---and to the determined, passable. The poster was hoping to inspire.

Among the comments was, I am guessing, a Canadian born individual who, while congratulating the original poster, was suggesting that there is more to being Canadian than just passing the exam. To that, another person replied: “The Canadian Citizenship is enough.”

I reflected on those words.

Is having a Candian Citizenship enough?

My reply was a big “NO!”

Citizenship is not just a piece of paper to me. It is a commitment not just to live in Canada, but to protect it, grow it, nurture it and have it’s best interests in sight. It is---borrowing from JFK---asking myself WHAT CAN I DO FOR CANADA?

When I became a Canadian, there was a distinct mind shift that happened to me. Suddenly, I felt a sense of ownership and responsibility.

I agree with the first commentor: THERE IS MORE TO BEING CANADIAN THAN PASSING AN EXAM. The Canadian Citizenship is NOT enough.

If I were to make an analogy---a temporary resident such a tourist and a foreign worker is a house guest. This a person expected to be in the space for a limited or finite time. Like our house guests, the expectations are the same: they are welcome, while the hosts allow. They are expected to respect the spaces, not intrude and know their limits. Thay are expected to be respectful of their hosts, not over-step and know when to leave.

A permanent resident is a renter. This is a person who has been given the keys to the house. They can stay there, following the agreement of space use. If the

arrangement fails to be satisfactory, or cause irreparable damage to the place, they may be asked to leave. They are expected to maintain cordial relations with the owner of the house, who is allowing them to rent it.

Citizens own the home. With this ownership, they are responsible for the whole place---good and bad. They are expected to clean it up, renovate it, fix it. They have both the freedom to decide on how they want it to look, how they want it to address their needs. They are responsible for it---making it into a cottage or a mansion. Growing it, making it more beautiful and comfortable is all their responsibility. Most importantly, they have a sense of ownership, having both the comfort and responsibilities of knowing that. Owners are expected to love and care for their own property.

Citizenship requires love. To be a Canadian citizen, you MUST LOVE CANADA!

Because no one else can, should and is expected to.

MUST LOVE CANADA! Tips on how to be a GOOD CANADIAN: A Practical Guide for New Canadians, New Immigrants & Newcomers BY OVVIAN CASTRILLO HILL—Is a FREE EBook available for download: Ebook - Ovvian Castrillo Hill