Speaker Profiles — Judge Sonia Bitar

When was the last time you really thought about what it means to be a Canadian citizen? If you were born here–have you ever had the opportunity to recite the Citizenship Oath–do you know what it is? What it means? Have you ever seriously thought about your role and responsibilities as a Canadian citizen? I had the opportunity to attend a citizenship ceremony in the Court of Queen’s Bench during LawDay this year, where I personally witnessed the pride and joy on the faces of 59 recipients and their families, as they received their Canadian citizenship. But the image that remains in my mind to this day is the pride and joy that beamed from Judge Sonia Bitar as she extended her hand in a heartfelt handshake, welcoming each new citizen into our Canadian family with genuine pleasure.

Many of us take our Canadian citizenship for granted without truly appreciating how privileged we are to be living in such a beautiful country full of unlimited opportunities. I have had the honor of spending a little time with our regional Citizenship Judge Sonia Bitar, an immigrant woman herself, who has a deep, true understanding of the commitment and honour that comes with taking the Oath and with giving the Oath. In this article I will share with you Sonia Bitar’s personal experience with becoming a Canadian citizen and then, with pride and gratification her role as a Canadian Citizenship Judge.