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Vol. 20, No. 28, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 www.LamontLeader.com
New Canadian citizens voting for the first time BY JANA SEMENIUK Although Bruderheim residents Rolf and Andrea Hinken have lived in the area for over 30 years, after first immigrating from Germany in 1994, they just became official Canadian citizens in January. And this month, they will cast their votes in a Canadian election for the very first time. Andrea said the couple waited until they were sure they would never need their German citizenship again before becoming official Canadians. “We wanted to keep it (citizenship) for the kids, in case they wanted to go back because the rest of the family is still in Germany,” she said. “We decided we’re not going back. We’re in this country for the long haul.” Rolf said the last federal election was the deciding factor for him. “I said, now we have to become Canadian,” he said, hoping to make his vote count. The Hinkens raised two children while operating Bruderheim’s Old Country Sausage since 2005, where Rolf uses his skills as a butcher and sausage maker. Andrea helps to run the shop taking orders and making deliveries. The local meat shop has become a popular place where farmers and game hunters have their meat aged, cut and wrapped, while Rolf also focuses on making traditional German sausage, custom sausage orders, and meat products which are sold in the store. In all, Andrea said living in Canada
has provided the life her and Rolf dreamed of. “We don't have the desire to go back to Germany. Our kids are here. Our kids built their lives here which we wanted. They're independent and everything a parent can dream of,” she said. “We just want to find a way of working and then still enjoy what comes
after, trying to find recreational values for us. And fortunately, you can go somewhere, within an hour and be somewhere where there's absolutely nobody. You don't have that in Europe, you just can't find that.” After the Hinkens participated in the swearing in ceremony, they received a letter from Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs congratulating them on their
new citizenship. In part it read; “As you share fully in the rights and privileges enjoyed by all Canadians you have also agreed to assume the special responsibility of protecting and preserving the principals of democracy and human freedom that are the cornerstones of our nation. Welcome to Canada!”
Andrea and Rolf Hinken proudly hold up their voter cards outside their home in Bruderheim. The Hinkens will be voting for the first time in a Canadian election after recently becoming Canadian citizens. Photo: Jana Semeniuk