Charlene Penner with Eastman Immigrant Services says an official citizenship ceremony took place in Steinbach last August where about 70 people became Canadian citizens. She notes they hope to host another ceremony like that this year and explains the purpose of last night's celebration.

"The citizenship celebration really exists to let people know that there are people in the community who are taking that step, that want to be intentional about making Canada their home and their children's home and we think that's something worth acknowledging and worth celebrating and that's what we're doing here."

Brenton Thompson, who moved to Steinbach from Jamaica a few years ago, says it's great to see how diverse Steinbach is becoming and adds it was special to be a part of that celebration.

"Having a ceremony that everybody can see, it does two things. On the side of the newcomers, it's great to notice the open arms that the community has and how receptive they are, how awesome it is to be new but still, have neighbors that are willing to extend their hands first and show you that it is a welcoming place to be. On the side of the people from Steinbach, it's great to have that opportunity to experience somebody else coming into your community and bringing more culture and making it rich, making it diverse and realizing that some of the differences are actually not that far apart."

Thompson adds for him, Steinbach is a great place where he has been able to work and raise his family.