Like many of us in this House, I am a citizen of Canada who did not acquire Canadian citizenship by virtue of birth. I gained it later in life, when I was almost 20.
Gaining Canadian citizenship is like winning the lottery, and even though I do not recognize our country after 10 years of the Liberals, I still believe that Canada is the best country in the world. Holding Canadian citizenship is a remarkable privilege that should not be afforded loosely to anyone who was not born in Canada.
Last week, along with my family, I celebrated our 30th “Canada-versary,” 30 years of blissful existence in Canada. That is why I have a unique perspective on one of the greatest things in the world, one of the most precious documents one could ever imagine, a Canadian passport reflecting Canadian citizenship. My story is not unique. it has been experienced by many Canadians and many members of the House. Is it the story of coming to Canada.
Thirty years ago Canada was in need of chemical engineers. My father was a chemical engineer. We applied, passed a medical check and passed a criminal background check, and within a short time we were invited to immigrate to Canada as landed immigrants. The system worked.
I remember the night we came to Canada. It was September 5, 1995, in the middle of the night. We landed at Pearson airport in Toronto and drove to North York, to Sheppard and Bathurst, inside the heart of the riding I am now blessed to represent in this House. I looked out the window and I saw Earl Bales Park and the Don Lands, and on the other side of the park was Yonge Street with beautiful lights and towers, in the great riding of Willowdale. I was in love from day one.
We did not have a cent to our name. I remember what true poverty was like. My dad initially sold ice cream off those yellow Dixie bicycles. My mom was an unemployed teacher, but it did not matter because I always had a job and always had incredible joy.
All we ever needed in order to succeed in Canada was to work hard and be nice to people. That was it. That was the Canadian promise, which my fellow Conservatives and our party leader seek to restore. Since then, I have had every blessing this country has to offer to study, work, succeed, practice law and start a small business, and eventually to be elected to this House to represent the very constituents who welcomed me as an immigrant.
I also remember the day we became Canadian citizens. It was on March 16, 2000. We went to a federal building at St. Clair and Yonge. I remember taking the oath of citizenship with my new fellow Canadians. It was a beautiful thing.
(Editor’s note: MP Roman Baber (York Centre, Ont.) made his remarks in Commons September 16) 
