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Canada declares Santa Claus a Canadian citizen

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Canada has confirmed that Santa Claus is a Canadian citizen during a special citizenship ceremony on 20 December 2010.

"We wish Mr. Claus all the best in his Christmas Eve duties again this year," said Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

"And rest assured, as a Canadian citizen living in Canada's North, he can re-enter Canada freely once his trip around the world is complete," he added.

This was good news for Santa, who successfully navigated a number of immigration systems to deliver presents to children around the world.

Kenney also welcomed a number of new citizens to Canada during the ceremony.

"This is such an important day for Canada's newest citizens," said Kenney. "Today, our history also becomes their history, and their future becomes our future."

Canada is a nation that welcomes over a quarter million immigrants each year and has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world.