Residents are being encouraged to join in reaffirming their commitment to Canada at the 155th celebrations Friday at Bud Miller Park.
The presiding officer for the reaffirmation ceremony is a recipient of the Order of Military Merit, naval Captain Jeff Biddiscombe, MMM,CD.
Biddiscombe enrolled in the regular force in 1989 as a Nursing Officer and graduated in 1993. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings, from medicine and psychiatry to medevac.
The City has several certificates to hand out to those who wish to recommit publicly to Canada, however everyone is welcome to participate in that aspect of the program at the Amphitheatre.
Kemoh Mansaray coordinator with the Lloydminster Local Immigration Partnership says over the pandemic, citizenship ceremonies were done virtually, however Friday will be a chance to say the oath with the community present.
“So the reaffirmation ceremony gives people the opportunity to do it in-person. Everyone who has their citizenship during that time and anyone who is a citizen can actually participate in the reaffirmation ceremony.”
Even though everyone can take part, Mansaray indicated there are a limited number of certificates for the ceremony.
“We’re actually looking at having 50 people take part in the reaffirmation ceremony. But anybody else could be part of it. They could take pictures with the mayor and the naval captain, as well take part in the cultural aspect, because it’s accompanied with some cultural performances.”
The official program begins at 1 p.m. on Canada Day with the reaffirmation ceremony and cultural pageantry to follow.