'Everybody makes you feel like a family': New Canadians take citizenship oath on Canada Day

With right hands raised, and some with tears in their eyes, 52 new Canadians celebrated Canada Day by taking the Oath of Citizenship.

The ceremony, held at the Calgary airport, was one of 39 across the country on Monday.

"It was a very special moment," said Bivya George.

She came to Canada in 2015 from India to follow her husband, who has been working in the country for nine years and received his citizenship last year.

The former engineer now works as a community manager for a property management company, and says she loves her work and the country — and feels so proud that she can now officially call the country home.

"The journey has been so wonderful and I was always waiting for this special moment to call myself Canadian," she said.

I've had people sob when they received their citizenship. People grab me and kiss me. It's so humbling.- Irene Pfeiffer, honourary citizenship judge

Andrea Leites and Diego Fernandez, and their children Diego and Camila, got their citizenship after 10 years in the country.

Camila said it felt like a huge accomplishment, and she swelled with pride while repeating the words.

"My heart starting beating really fast," she said.

Andrea and Diego say they brought the family over from Uruguay in the hope of giving their kids a better future.

"To be a mix of two countries is very good, because we have our values, our culture, we try to embrace them, not to lose them, and to combine them with Canadian culture. I like how everyone is very kind, the diversity, the freedom you have … the health-care system … I like everything," Andrea said.

For Priyanka Madan, who has lived in the country for five years, her favourite part of living in Canada is the community.

"It's just how everybody makes you feel like a family," she said.

Irene Pfeiffer, the honourary citizenship judge who presided over the ceremony, says she's welcomed people to Calgary from dozens of countries around the world.

Approximately 20,000 people become citizens in Calgary each year.

"I think it's an extreme honour to do it. Because I'm a Canadian and have been a sixth generation Canadian, I really don't appreciate what so many of these people have gone through to become Canadian citizens," she said, adding that she cherishes the moment where she can shake each new Canadian's hand and ask where they're from. 

"I've had people sob when they received their citizenship. People grab me and kiss me. It's so humbling."