Citizenship Judge Appointments

OTTAWA, July 5, 2005 — The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced the appointment of two citizenship judges.

The Syrian Community Centre congratulate  Judge Sarkis ...this is wonderful news for all ... and an exciting new career for you

Keep up the good work

Sarkis Assadourian is a well-known and well-respected community leader in the Greater Toronto Area. A former member of Parliament, he is also the former Executive Director of the Armenian Community Centre in North York. As a member of Parliament, Mr. Assadourian was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration. He was appointed a citizenship judge in Toronto.

Lawrence (Larry) Shaben is an esteemed community and business leader in Edmonton. A former minister for the Province of Alberta, Mr. Shaben has served as Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Minister of Housing and Minister of Utilities and Telephones, and as a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1975 to 1989. He is an active community volunteer, serving as the current chairman of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities and as a patron of the Alberta Heritage Foundation, among other community endeavours. Mr. Shaben was appointed a citizenship judge in Edmonton.

Citizenship judges are appointed by order-in-council and are responsible for making decisions with regard to applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens.