Why do you love Canada? Faces of newest residents of Newfoundland and Labrador

At a recent Association for New Canadians event, photographer Andrew Edwards captured dozens of portraits of new residents of this province.

Each told the association why they love their new country.

Azarak:Came to Newfoundland from Sudan in 2008

"Canada is my second country andthe best country."

Amanail:Came to Canada fromSudan in November 2015

"I like Canada because it has freedomand I am free."

Sifa & Charlotte:Young sisters from the Congocame toNewfoundland in December 2015

"Canada is a safe country and everyone has the right tochoose friends."

Noway: Came to Canada in September with his mother and siblings

He is proud of the fact that, "Here in Canada, we have full freedom of human rights."

Debora, Ferdinand, Tereza, Naomi and Divine:Came to Canada together in March 2015 from Burundi

The students attend theANC ESL Training Centre where they study English five days a week. They all agree that "Canada is apeaceful country."

Dhanand AsmanKumari:Originally from Bhutan but spent many years in Nepal before immigrating to Canada in 2013 with their children

"In Canada, I like the freedom, the people, and going to school."

Gillar:Originally from the Congo and a native French speaker, came to St. John's in November 2013

One of his favourite things about Canada is "thefree schooling for my children."

Tek and Yashoda: Originally from Bhutan but spent many years in Nepal before coming to St. John's

"I was saved byCanada."

Hassan:Arrived in St. John's in August from Sudan

"In Canada, I like the freeschooling and freedom."

Marie:Came to St. John's in November 2013 with Gillar and the other members of her extendedfamily

"In Canada, the people are nice and everything isgood."

Simret:Came to Canada exactly one year ago from Eritrea

A dedicated student at the ESL Training Centre, Simret says that "In Canada, Ilike going to language school."

Kamala and Budha Singh: Arrived in Canada in June 2012 with their threechildren from Bhutan

Kamalasays,"Canada is a beautiful country" whileBudhanotes that "Canadian people are friendlyand very good."

Krishna:Came to Canada last November, and is presently a student at the ESL Training Centre

Whenasked about the peoplehe has met so far in his new home he said that"Canadian people love eachother and are helpful."

Bhakta:Came to Canada in September 2012 with his familyfrom Bhutan

"Canada is safe, beautiful, and peaceful."

Dhan Maya & Purna Singh:Lived in Nepal for many years before immigrating toCanada in 2011

"In Canada, I like the freedom and going to language school."

Shahin: Originally from Iran, came to Canada with her husband last year

"I like Canadabecause I live near my children."

Esayas:Came to Canada in October 2014 fromEthiopiawith his wife and young daughter

"I don't like to see people fighting. I like tosee people live together in love and devotion."

Sah:Came to Canada in February 2015 from Sierra Leone with his mother and sister

"I likeCanada because of the good government and safety."

Hussein andAbdulrazak

Abdulrazak, Mieraf and Hussein are close friends whohave lived in Canada for about one year

BothAbdulrazak and Hussein came from Sudan while Mieraf and her family came from Eritrea to makeCanada their new home. All have agreed that "[We] love the multiculturalism system nodiscrimination."

Simon and his son Zion came to Canada with their other family members - his wife Mieraf and second sonMusael - last summer.

"In Canada, I get a new opportunity to live again."

Tilak: Originally from Bhutan and came to St. John's in 2011 with his family

"I am thankful to be in mynew home country safe, secure, and where I can dream about my future."

Jeet:Originally from Bhutan, he came to St. John's in 2011 with his wife and daughter

Jeet describesCanada as "a beautiful country that helps people."

Nasser and his family of seven have only been living in Newfoundland for two months

Originallyfrom Syria, Nasser poses with the newest new Canadian, his daughter Rima.