The Saskatchewan Western Development Museum (WDM) has announced it has joined forces with the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's Cultural Access Pass program to welcome new citizens to its four provincial locations in North Battleford, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Yorkton and introduce them to Saskatchewan's history.
From coast-to-coast, CAP provides new Canadian citizens, and their children, a year of free access to more than 1,000 Canadian attractions from museums and historic sites to national and provincial parks. The Cultural Access Pass program introduces our country's newest citizens to Canadian experiences, even offering access to volunteer and employment resources. With an average of almost 100 registrations per day, more than 50,000 new citizens have become Cultural Access Pass members.
"The CAP program is one way the WDM can help meet the challenges of a growing Saskatchewan, educating new Canadian citizens about our province's unique heritage," says Joan Champ, Executive Director of the Museum. "We look forward to welcoming Saskatchewan's - and Canada's - newest residents through our doors."
Gillian Hewitt Smith, ICC's Executive Director and CEO agrees: "It's important new citizens have the opportunity to learn about the history of the places they choose to call home. WDM's participation in our program makes this opportunity a reality for Saskatchewan's newest citizens. They are a welcome addition to our roster of partners."
CAP's aim to include new citizens in all aspects of Canadian life is supported by Canadians on Citizenship, a national public opinion survey and recent ICC collaboration: 30 per cent of Canadians, both native and foreign-born, feel that one of the best ways to make new Canadian citizens feel like good citizens is to simply reach out and include them.
The Cultural Access Pass is introduced to every new Canadian citizen (approximately 170,000 a year) at the time of their citizenship ceremony. As the diversity and value of CAP experiences increase, so too will the pace and rate of new registrations - this year alone, the ICC estimates an additional 35,000 new members! CAP is supported by the Canadian Museums Association and the RBC Foundation. Details about the Cultural Access Pass program, including a full list of participating attractions, can be found at: culturalaccesspass.ca.
