Des DeFreitas introduced the guest speaker, Joy Dirks, who was appointed as a Citizenship Judge in Calgary in January, 2009. She has an extensive background of professional, entrepreneurial and community service, which includes working as a protocol official with the government of Saskatchewan, planning and coordinating royal family visits to the province, a successful career in real estate condominium sales and management, an accomplished special events planner, writer, key note speaker, and a corporate relocation consultant in Alberta.

Judge Dirks is deeply committed to building a strong civil society through community service, and has been an active volunteer in schools, youth programs, teen camps, community organizations and local churches.

Judge Dirks opened her remarks with a thank you to Rotary for contributing to making the world a better place through its accomplishments and ethics in business, and initiatives in international and local services.

A joke followed in which she described a blonde in a Canadian blizzard. The blonde was driving when a blizzard swept in. The blonde soon remembered what her father had told her what to do when driving in a snow storm such as this. She recalled him saying wait for a snow plough and then follow behind it. She stopped, and when a snow plough soon came along she started following it. After a quite while the snow plough driver stopped, got out and walked back to the car. After finding out why she was following him the snow plough driver told her that he had just finished ploughing the snow from the Wal-Mart parking lot and that he was heading next to the Canadian Tire parking lot.

The population of Canada is based on aboriginal people, French and British settlers, and immigrant minorities. Canada is viewed as a destination of choice for 250,000 immigrants each year, and has the highest per capita rate of immigrants in the world. Immigrants view Canada as a land of opportunity where they can pursue making their dreams come true.

During the last sixty years, the predominant country of birth for those immigrating to Canada has varied. In 2010 the predominant country of origin was the Philippines and the previous ten years it was Asian groups.

A point of interesting trivia that many of the immigrants arriving during the 50s and 60s landed in Halifax. Pier 21 was the disembarking point and processing area for those people arriving to start a new life and introduced to a new culture. The floor of the building they first stepped into was often covered with Corn Flakes. While waiting to be interviewed new arrivals were presented with some provision which included cigarettes, a box of Corn Flakes, and other sundries. Often the Corn Flakes were not recognized as a snack or food and children tossed the flakes about not knowing what else to do with them.

Immigration continues to be an important element in shaping the Canadian society. Since 1869, Canada's immigration programs have helped build a community of citizens respected around the world. Out of every 100 new citizens that Judge Dirks swears in, there are typically 27 to 35 different countries of origin.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for screening, supporting and ultimately helping immigrants to become Canadian Citizens. Judge Dirks continued describing the requirements what someone wanting to become a citizen must do to become eligible and what they must know. She then had those present repeat the oath of citizenship as an affirmation of their citizenship.

CIC produces a wide variety of publications and other information online including the steps and qualifications required for citizenship. Those interested for additional information are asked to browse through the publications online, or to obtain forms at www.cic.gc.ca

Karl Herzog thanked Joy Dirks for her time and informative presentation on Canadian citizenship and presented her with one of Calgary West's renowned Boltman.

reported by David Hamilton