When Sweta Thakur arrived in Canada from India in August 2023, she found a freedom she had long hoped for.

Living in Canada is just like “freelance,” Thakur said. “I’m able to practice living in a free world.”

Her story and many others reflect the evolving meaning of what being Canadian means. For some, it’s about opportunity, for others it’s about freedom or safety.

For Thakur, it’s about finding a place where she feels accepted. She spoke to the Toronto Observer at Nathan Phillips Square at the end of May where she and hundreds of others attended the 11th annual Toronto Newcomer Day. 

The showcase of diversity and inclusion transformed the heart of downtown into a cultural crossroad. From the beat of Samba drums to the quiet reflection of people around the Sacred Fire, the event offered newcomers to the city a chance to enjoy live performances and interactive activities.

Toronto: the gateway to a new life

Attendees also had access to more than 100 community organizations and services ranging from legal aid to language classes. 

The celebration, organized by the City of Toronto was a reminder of the city’s role as a gateway for those building new lives in Canada, with Toronto home to the highest proportion of immigrants in this country.

As of 2021, nearly 1.3 million immigrants lived in Toronto. Nationally, one in four Canadians (about 8.3 million people) were born outside of Canada, with projections suggesting that the immigrant population will exceed 15 million by 2041, according to Statistics Canada.

Thakur attended the event for the first time this year. Now working for a Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), she collaborates with frontline organizations supporting immigrant settlement. 

‘You can do what you want to do’

Thakur said the freedom she’s experienced as a woman in Canada, from speaking her mind to working independently, have reshaped her life. 

“Where I come from and being a female, we have a different culture, a lot of restrictions,” she said.

“I was always a very empowered female, and that’s not what is being appreciated in my country. Being in Canada is just like … you can do what you want to—or what you always aspire to be.”

When asked what makes Canada feel like home, Thakur said a safe place and safe people is what she loves about the country.

“The acceptance overall for different cultures, different genders. I think that is the most unique thing,” Thakur said. 

For others, the event wasn’t just about celebrating diversity, it was about capturing it. 

Just steps away from the main stage at the square, Alyssa Featherstone ran a photo booth capturing portraits of attendees at the event. “Our goal is to make memories,” Featherstone said.

 She offered a similar reflection as Thakur on what being Canadian means to her.

“I have been able to practice whatever religions I wish to find myself, my own identity, the freedom to be queer, the freedom to be an artist, the freedom to live as I wish,” Featherstone said.

But being Canadian can mean many things, she said. “It can be safety, it can be hope, it can be a fresh start … it kind of means something different to everybody.” 

Celebrating shared joys

The event featured a variety of cultural activities and ceremonies, including an official citizenship ceremony held inside City Hall’s council chamber, where dozens of newcomers took their oath of citizenship. 

Among the settlement service booths was the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS). 

For newcomer providers like Lise Tang, an employment services specialist, and Siddarth Bhardwaj, a licensed paralegal and legal community worker, both with the CICS, the event was an opportunity to not only help newcomers settle into a new country, but also celebrate the shared joys of a multicultural city. 

“Part of being Canadian is having the opportunity to meet many different people from different cultures and to work alongside each other to make our community grow and prosper,” said Tang.

“It’s really amazing to meet different people here. We have different minds and we come all together and make it a great day,” said Bhardwaj.