A Grade 7 Ontario student celebrating his birthday next month recently received a surprise package in the mail: an official certificate from Prime Minister Stephen Harper wishing him congratulations on his upcoming 100th birthday.
No, Michal Farrell is not one of the oldest elementary school students in Canadian history. The Bowmanville, Ont., boy will be turning 13 next month. But according to the message of congratulations, Farrell is set to become a centenarian.
"It is a great pleasure to send you best wishes and warmest congratulations on the occasion of your one hundredth birthday," the certificate, signed by Harper, reads.
Asked if the certificate makes him feel old, Farrell said he’s only "annoyed."
"My parents keep making 100-year-old jokes," he told CTV Toronto on Wednesday.
According to the Prime Minister of Canada's website, congratulatory certificates are sent on request to Canadians celebrating “significant” birthdays or wedding anniversaries.
Farrell needs to wait another 52 years to qualify -- only individuals celebrating their 65th birthday and up are sent an official congratulatory message.
Farrell's parents, who say they did not request a certificate, told CTV Toronto they find the delivery puzzling.
"If he's 100, then I'd hate to see what that makes me," Farrell’s father, Randy Farrell, joked.
The PMO's office responded to the apparent mixup on Wednesday.
"Birthday certificates are requested by individuals who must include the name, the address and year of birth of the recipient," a statement emailed to CTV Toronto said.
"On behalf of the Prime Minister's Office, we wish Michal Farrell a happy 13th birthday."
With a report from CTV Toronto's Scott Lightfoot
