When Julio Parra, a school caretaker in Milton, Ont., received his Canadian citizenship on Tuesday, he was expecting a relatively quiet return to work.
Instead he was met by students and staff from Queen of Heaven Catholic Elementary School, decked out in red and white, holding Canadian flags.
Behind them was a large hand-made banner reading, “So now you’re a Canadian, eh!”
After living in Canada for 15 years, Parra’s citizenship was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the school wanted to do something special to celebrate.
“It was a big surprise today,” he said. “[The students had] small gifts and hugs for me. All the students were very happy … it was very, very nice.”
WATCH | Students and staff surprise beloved school caretaker with citizenship celebration:
