“Welcome Home”

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Published: August 14, 2017 03:57 pm EDT

Although it may come off as being a tad hyperbolic, dreams are realized on the racetrack – especially on the course at Mohawk Racetrack, where the best in harness racing come to play. Although, on a special Wednesday earlier this month, dreams of another nature were realized at the famed Campbellville, Ontario oval.


An image from the RCMP Musical Ride stop at Mohawk Racetrack in early August 2017 (Nikki Wesley / Metroland)

On two dates in early August, Mohawk Racetrack played host to the RCMP Musical Ride, whose 32 equine and riders put on dazzling displays for robust crowds at the picturesque raceway.

As part of the festivities on Wednesday, August 2, thirty-one new Canadians took part in a citizenship ceremony. They were sworn in by presiding official Howard Dyck and were soon greeted by RCMP Constable Terry Russel. The group eventually made its way onto the track and received a salute from the Musical Ride.


An image from the RCMP Musical Ride stop at Mohawk Racetrack in early August 2017 (Nikki Wesley / Metroland)

As an article by insidehalton.com explains, Constable Russel encouraged the 31 new Canadians to adopt the traits that Canadians closely identify with – kindness, generosity and love, to name just a few.

“If we all did these ordinary things, we will be reinforcing the traits and characteristics that Canadians are known for — decency, kindness, inclusiveness,” Constable Russel said.


An image from the RCMP Musical Ride stop at Mohawk Racetrack in early August 2017 (Nikki Wesley / Metroland)

The new Canadians, who come from more than a half-dozen countries, held Canadian flags while they took the oath of citizenship and sang the Canadian national anthem for the first time as citizens.

Milton MP Lisa Raitt praised the group, saying, “We’re so grateful you decided to choose Canada as your place, as your home.” Mayor Gord Krantz, a longtime supporter of Mohawk Racetrack, also encouraged the new citizens to consider running for office.

Raitt continued, saying that new citizens come to Canada because it, “is a place where people from every background have bonded together and we’ve created an incredibly diverse, harmonious and very successful place to live. We are known around the world for our generosity and our kindness, and you carry that label going forward.”


An image from the RCMP Musical Ride stop at Mohawk Racetrack in early August 2017 (Nikki Wesley / Metroland)

For Dayani Karunaratne, one of the new Canadians that grew up in war-torn Sri Lanka, the day was a dream come true.

“We wanted our children to come to the best country where there would be peace,” she said, emotionally. “We’re very happy we made that decision. I really appreciate that we (Canadians) actually celebrate our differences, rather than look at differences as a way of dividing each other.”

(With files from insidehalton.com)

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