Big day for Mehm and his family (18 photos)

Mehm Koko Tun brings 15 years experience as a marine engineer and three family members to his new home and native land.

The Chinese immigrant is one of 31 new Canadian citizens whose citizenship was made official by ceremony and by certificate this past week at City Hall.

A standing-room only crowd of family, friends and supporters looked on as Mehm, his wife Khine Mi Mi Moe and two sons, Mehm Moe Thant Ko and Mehm Moe Thant Sun, took the oath of Canadianship and were presented with commemorative certificates, cards, pins and flags.

Mehm is an engineer for Purvis Marine.

He and his family are seen here with Sault MP Tony Martin, who also attended the ceremony with Acting Mayor Pat Mick.

Mehm said that he and his family arrived in Canada in the winter of 2005.

Seeing all that snow was quite a shock, but they soon became very used to it.

As soon as they found out about all the things they can do in the snow in Sault Ste. Marie they liked it, he said.

"We like the community activities like the Santa Claus parade and Bon Soo Festival," he said. "And of course the summer ones too, like RotaryFest."

Mehm said he hopes to be able to contribute more to marine engineering here in the Sault in the near future.