Just Part Of Being Canadian

On December 11,2012 Joy LIVINGSTONE became a Canadian citizen. This was the culmination of a lifetime dream. When the day finally arrived, her dream came true , with just one exception- there was no Mountie present for her to have her picture taken with. In Joy’s mind part of being Canadian was the presence of a Mountie in red serge to acknowledge the event and to have her picture taken with.

Joy LIVINGSTONE, Block Watch Captain in Nanaimo, shared her story with Constable Gary O’Brien, Block Watch Co-ordinator for the Nanaimo RCMP. Cst O’Brien was moved by her story and made it his mission to have her dream come true. He went to Superintendent McPhail, the Officer in Charge of the Nanaimo RCMP and he too agreed it must happen.

The next day Cst O’Brien called Joy and asked her to meet him at the Nanaimo Detachment. Her Mounties were waiting. Joy arrived within the hour and was met by the members, both wearing their red serges. Joy was overwhelmed. She exclaimed excitedly with pleasure and utter surprise at not one Mountie but two Mounties for her photo-op! This brought a few police officers out to investigate the excitement, however, their looks of concern were quickly replaced with smiles when they heard her story.

Joy lined up proudly for her picture with the two members and with her certificate of Canadian citizenship in hand, a proud Canadian’s dream came true.