Every friend who wants to immigrate to Canada will be curious about what the real life in Canada is like, is it really like the advertisements we are used to in Stone?
Today I share with you three typical stories. They come from different countries, have different experiences, and have different feelings about this country.
Just like the multiculturalism that Canada has always advocated, perhaps Canada from different perspectives can give you a deeper understanding of this country.
1. Canada only needs our hands one immigrant worker's expectations
Gabriel Alladua is calling on the Canadian federal government to grant permanent residence for all labor immigrants.
When I was still in my hometown of St. Lucia (an island country in South America), Canada showed me a beautiful side.
31 years ago, when I was about to drop out of school, it was amazing that I was admitted to another school, a Canadian school that was like a lifelong gift to me. From a country with a very high illiteracy rate, I was able to have all my college courses at night. During those years, I studied hard and fell in love with Canada.
After I finished studying, I returned to my hometown. In 2010, a severe hurricane completely destroyed my home and life. After losing my job, my family's life was gone, and I experienced the lowest point in my life at that time. In 2012, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to immigrate to Canada as a farm worker. How glad, grateful and happy I was at that time!
But the reality is cruel. What we welcomed me in Canada for the first time was the cold wind in January. I didn't even think about what it would be like to take the bus to the farm in 4 hours, and there was no heating in the car. We were thrown into a simple house where I spent a cold night without heating and beds with 17 other coworkers. On the first day of immigrating to Canada, my enthusiasm and expectations were completely shattered.
I began to learn how to get exploited as a 51-year-old farm worker. Farm workers immigrate to do the work that no Canadian wants to do, no rights, no identity, and no choice but to promise to work for a fixed employer.
When I first arrived, I lived in the same simple house with 62 other coworkers. We still have no internet to contact our family. I get up to work at 5 o'clock every morning and to meet the expectations of the managers, I have to drink refreshing drinks to cheer up. If we have any complaints, they will remind us that there are still many people in our hometown waiting to come here!
cannot imagine that such a harsh working environment is actually placed in Canada, such a developed country. All of this has exacerbated my poverty.
Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday. In the past few decades, there have been various injustice against vulnerable groups, whether it is the Chinese railway workers back then or the current farm immigrant workers. This system is creating an atmosphere of fear, not hope, fairness and justice.
I made a list of what I expected from Canada and the cruelty of reality. I call it 20 dark corners in Canada. I am facing a cruel reality that I thought would only exist in history. I never thought that a country proud of its freedom, diversity and human rights would treat us the same as the 18th century.
I know there are many groups in Canada facing all kinds of injustice. I believe that the people in suffering will rise up and resist and bring change to this land. Without justice, there is no peace. All harsh working environments are man-made and can be changed. Just like what dark corners in Canada!
2. When I was eight years old, I came to Canada and seized every opportunity
Swarochish Goswam
1997 I was born in Singapore. Growing up in such a competitive society made most of my childhood spend indoors studying. I was rarely exposed to the natural world at that time until I was eight years old, my dad got a new job and we came to a strange city called Calgary .
I clearly remember that I opened a huge blue map to learn about Canada, and I was shocked at that time, wow, this second largest country in the world. Rocky Mountain, Beaver...all these things I was told constitute the impression of Canada in my mind. I was extremely excited to be able to move here.
When I came to this country, I was completely exposed to a brand new, outdoor world at once. I heard that this country has four seasons rotation, but I really can't imagine what it looks like. Calgary can experience rain, sun, hail and snow in the day, and everyone works and lives as usual as nothing has happened. When I first came, I went to a school called Langevin Science. The teaching method of the school attracted me all of a sudden, and I was able to adapt very well.
I don't know why, I will never forget this country seems to have designed a pose specifically for me. Every day, this country extends a hand to invite me to seize every opportunity I long for. This is why I love this country, the people here are very friendly, and helping others here is not a system, but a responsibility that penetrates everyone's bones.
Today, despite my speech stuttering, despite my being a young man trying to climb up the adult table, despite my 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Toronto. Apart from these, I am also a serial entrepreneur, a speaker at TEDx, a U.N. Youth Master, and a venture capitalist.
If I were not in Canada, would these things happen? Definitely not.
Canada does not have Silicon Valley, but we have more of a culture of innovation and inclusiveness. It is these that make this country special and help me through the early stages of my life. I am grateful to this country, and a young man can express his voice through various channels. I am glad this country and its people agree with me that young people will be leaders of tomorrow and most likely don’t have to wait until tomorrow!
3. After coming to Canada 28 years, my dream finally came true
Sima Saxena
I was born in India. Because my dad worked in Air India, I came to Toronto and Victoria in 1979. I really like Victoria, it is such a beautiful island with green trees, beaches and natural scenery everywhere, everything is so close to you.
In 1998, when my dad passed away, my brother who lived in Victoria applied for a relative reunion immigration for my mom and me. In our culture, after the father dies, the elder brother assumes the responsibility of his father.
I have always had a dream of beauty pageant since I was a child, but when I first came to Canada it was always hidden deep in my heart. I was very busy when I first arrived in a country. I learned about a brand new greeting, improved my English level, and found a job that I depended on for a living...
After some years, I had a traditional arranged marriage in India and gave birth to two children. At the beginning, life was difficult. My childhood passion still exists, but it can only be at the back of the family.
Time flies, my children all grow up and go to college. Last year when I saw news about the BC Parade Miss election in the community newspaper, the passion for beauty pageants was rekindled. They accept women of all ages! I discussed with my family and they were very supportive. I started going to the gym, exercising, eating healthy food, and integrating myself into the community, all in preparation for the BC Parade Miss.
When I won the Miss in Vancouver Island, my childhood passion finally burst to its peak. Local newspapers and magazines are reporting my story, and there are also TV stations coming to interview and shoot. I met many in-fringe people, shot short movies, advertisements, and did more meaningful work in the community.
Canada is a dream place that welcomes everyone.For me, Canada is where my dreams become reality!
has been read. Do you still want to immigrate to Canada? Any country will have good or bad. Perhaps its "good" happens to be your needs, and only what suits you is the best.
