English | Français On the Bright Side

Canada welcomes more than 170,000 new citizens every year. Yet just a few thousand new Canadians take part in citizenship ceremonies, where they publicly swear allegiance to Queen and country. On the Bright Side catches up with four MPs (New Democrats Megan Leslie and Peter Stoffer and Liberal Mike Savage and Geoff Regan) in Halifax who helped welcome Canada’s newest citizens.

The battle plan executed by Canadians at Vimy Ridge on the French front in 1917 altered the course of the First World War and significantly changed Canada’s status in the world. On the Bright Side joins politicians from all parties at various events to mark the battle’s 93rd anniversary.

We join Liberal MP Mark Holland for a busy day in his riding of Ajax-Pickering, Ont.: a 6K run, two business grand openings and a Skate Canada event within a matter of hours.

Liberal MP Gurbax Malhi hosts party leader Michael Ignatieff and others a prayer session to conclude 48 hours of continuous prayer marking the 311th birthday of the Sikh nation.

Conservative MP Paul Calandra and Liberal MP David McGuinty join Sri Lankan-Canadians celebrating their New Year.

We visit Conservative MP Ed Komarnicki in his Saskatchewan riding as he participates in a program with 10 students who are getting real work experience in the hospitality industry. It is part of a federal/provincial initiative to provide young people with skills training. 

Liberal MP and Montreal Canadiens great Ken Dryden dons his skates for his annual skating party at Herb Carnegie Arena in his Toronto riding.

Also:

• Ask the MPs: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
• Young Staffers – Heather Hoskins from Conservative MP Brian Jean’s office, and Andrea McCaffrey, who works for Liberal Senator Frank Mahovlich.
• What MPs are saying on Facebook and Twitter.