Why do you love Canada? Faces of newest residents of Newfoundland and Labrador
At a recent Association for New Canadians event, photographer Andrew Edwards captured dozens of portraits of new residents of this province.
Each told the association why they love their new country.
Azarak: Came to Newfoundland from Sudan in 2008
"Canada is my second country and the best country."
Amanail: Came to Canada from Sudan in November 2015
"I like Canada because it has freedom and I am free."
Sifa & Charlotte: Young sisters from the Congo came to Newfoundland in December 2015
"Canada… is a safe country and everyone has the right to choose friends."
Noway: Came to Canada in September with his mother and siblings
He is proud of the fact that, "Here in Canada, we have full freedom of human rights."
Debora, Ferdinand, Tereza, Naomi and Divine: Came to Canada together in March 2015 from Burundi
The students attend the ANC ESL Training Centre where they study English five days a week. They all agree that "Canada is a peaceful country."
Dhan and Asman Kumari: Originally from Bhutan but spent many years in Nepal before immigrating to Canada in 2013 with their children
"In Canada, I like the freedom, the people, and going to school."
Gillar: Originally from the Congo and a native French speaker, came to St. John's in November 2013
One of his favourite things about Canada is "the free schooling for my children."
Tek and Yashoda: Originally from Bhutan but spent many years in Nepal before coming to St. John's
"I was saved by Canada."
Hassan: Arrived in St. John's in August from Sudan
"In Canada, I like the free schooling and freedom."
Marie: Came to St. John's in November 2013 with Gillar and the other members of her extended family
"In Canada, the people are nice and everything is good."
Simret: Came to Canada exactly one year ago from Eritrea
A dedicated student at the ESL Training Centre, Simret says that "In Canada, I like going to language school."
Kamala and Budha Singh: Arrived in Canada in June 2012 with their three children from Bhutan
Kamala says,"Canada is a beautiful country" while Budha notes that "Canadian people are friendly and very good."
Krishna: Came to Canada last November, and is presently a student at the ESL Training Centre
When asked about the people he has met so far in his new home he said that "Canadian people love each other and are helpful."
Bhakta: Came to Canada in September 2012 with his family from Bhutan
"Canada is safe, beautiful, and peaceful."
Dhan Maya & Purna Singh: Lived in Nepal for many years before immigrating to Canada in 2011
"In Canada, I like the freedom and going to language school."
Shahin: Originally from Iran, came to Canada with her husband last year
"I like Canada because I live near my children."
Esayas: Came to Canada in October 2014 from Ethiopia with his wife and young daughter
"I don't like to see people fighting. I like to see people live together in love and devotion."
Sah: Came to Canada in February 2015 from Sierra Leone with his mother and sister
"I like Canada because of the good government and safety."
Abdulrazak, Mieraf and Hussein are close friends who have lived in Canada for about one year
Both Abdulrazak and Hussein came from Sudan while Mieraf and her family came from Eritrea to make Canada their new home. All have agreed that "[We] love the multiculturalism system — no discrimination."
Simon and his son Zion came to Canada with their other family members - his wife Mieraf and second son Musael - last summer.
"In Canada, I get a new opportunity to live again."
Tilak: Originally from Bhutan and came to St. John's in 2011 with his family
"I am thankful to be in my new home country – safe, secure, and where I can dream about my future."
Jeet: Originally from Bhutan, he came to St. John's in 2011 with his wife and daughter
Jeet describes Canada as "a beautiful country that helps people."
Nasser and his family of seven have only been living in Newfoundland for two months
Originally from Syria, Nasser poses with the newest new Canadian, his daughter Rima.