Note: An abstract of the following artcle was published in the North Renfrew Times of Wednesday June 28, 2017.
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17 June 2017
Deep River 150 – Why I love Canada …..
Canadian immigration story – Story of Acceptance and Integration
For me to love Canada is not the issue to ponder – as there are a range of reasons to love Canada Oh! we love you Canada – from our heart and soul.
I consider myself as most fortunate for having spent greater part of my life in this beautiful land Canada.
My wife and I emigrated to Canada in 1974 – on 03 March 1974 to be precise — having travelled by air (from Nairobi, Kenya) and landing in Toronto – which was just getting out of winter season. It was bright and sunny day and having a friend at the airport to welcome us which brightened our arrival.
Ours is a heartwarming and touching experience of immigration and settling down in Canada. We were fortunate to have a friend in Toronto (who had migrated to Canada from Kenya a few years before we did) and thus it made a bit easier – especially for my wife to come to a new country.
It so happened I already had a previous stay in Canada for one year. I had spent one year (June 1965- June 1966) in Niagara Falls, Ontario having come on a Fellowship from the Food Agriculture Organization (F.A.O) of the United Nations for practical training (with Acres Consulting Services) in the design of hydraulic structures (hydro power and drainage/irrigation projects). In a way, I had previous experience of all four seasons of Canada including winter months (with some skating, skiing and driving car on icy roads) – so I was not so perturbed when emigrating to Canada. Well my wife was a bit worried about winter but comforted by the knowledge that we have had a friend in Toronto. She also was aware of my acquaintances in Niagara Falls, Ontario from my previous stay in Canada. So the first step to our new home was somewhat comfortably made.
One of the difficulties that we had when emigrating from Kenya (in those days) was very little foreign exchange was allowed for the people travelling abroad. So we had very meager funds for our sustenance but we took a chance to emigrate – hoping to obtain employment as soon we arrived in Toronto. My wife was a teacher for high school kids in Kenya and thus had abilities also to fit in with some opportunities.
It was difficult for the first couple of weeks – while getting a bit orientated and then looking for work so we can support ourselves. As we say – we got a break (someone always looking after us in life) – we made a social visit to meet and say Hi! to one of our old acquaintances (from my previous stay in Niagara Falls) – who was in their office in Toronto and somehow it culminated in my getting a job (professional) with Acres Consulting Services in Niagara Falls. Thus our roots in the country were established.
Our stay in Niagara Falls, Ontario was just thrilling but also very hectic with many activities – from settling down to becoming part of the new social milieu and Lo Behold! starting a family.
My family is so besotted to Canada as here we started our family. This is like an experience of a miracle. My wife and I were married in 1967 in Nairobi, Kenya and for a while we remained without any children – even after trying various medical interventions. Lo Behold ! after we arrived in Canada on 03 March 1974 and the first medical specialist we established ( in April 1974 in Niagara Falls, Ontario) came with the unbelievable news that a baby is on the way. It was difficult to believe and in fact our extended family in Kenya did not believe it till they saw the tell-tale photos. We are so fortunate that our daughter was born on 14 December 1974 – 9 months and few days after our arrival in Canada. We then were fortunate to have a son after 4 years – to have someone for my daughter to play with . Both kids were born in Niagara Falls . Now we are fortunate to have a total of five (5) grandchildren who keep us young and active. They are into swimming, skating, skiing and play ice hockey (besides art, music and class work) – all Canadian. Love you Canada!
My assimilation in Canada was from the beginning – my professional life was similar to what I was doing in Kenya. My wife and I were accepted and made welcome in many community activities that we participated in Niagara Falls and other places that we moved over the years. We made friends who became ” our families ” and who loved our children when they grew up. Oh! Canada – what warmth and acceptance. Love you Canada!
Those who know Niagara Falls – know it for the big waterfalls here and also as a honeymoon capital of North America but there is more to see and understand about Canada here. The city is replete with different kinds of bridges ( vertical lift, suspension and other types ) -many built in late 1800s over Welland Canal and over Niagara River connecting to USA. The Welland Canal is a ship canal connecting Lake Ontario and lake Erie. The Canal boasts many lock gates – which enables ships to ascend and descend the Niagara Escarpment and bypass Niagara Falls. Many built in late 1800s or early 1900s.
There is so much to study and learn about the marvel of engineering, technology and construction methodology applied by early pioneers and their perseverance and tenacity under very trying conditions .
This country is exceptional and for that we need to thank the pioneers – the early ones who suffered all kinds of winters/weather, vast distances and lack of facilities and yet persevered and stood fast to build this modern country from coast to coast. There is so much to love about Canada – the pioneers take the cake.
My wife and I found Niagara Falls becoming our home almost immediately after moving there in early April 1974. We had friends here from my previous stay (June 1965-June 1966 ) and more from my colleagues at work as well as from our community work that we participated. In fact I became the Chair of the local United Nations Association Chapter in Niagara Falls – which kept us active socially. My wife was embraced like a daughter by quite a few local Canadian families and thus was able to ward of loneliness (complicated by being pregnant in a foreign land) – being away from our extended family in Kenya. We also learnt Canadian pastime of picking berries from the farms around Niagara Falls and my wife learnt preserving these (making jams and jellies) besides making pancakes and enjoying maple syrup. We being vegetarian – kept away from hot dogs and hamburgers though not from French fries.
As part the United Nations Association Chapter activities – we had Hon. Flora MacDonald (M.P.) come over as chief guest one year.
We also established a prayer temple during September 1974 in our home in Niagara Falls and were holding prayer services once a month. The central theme of the services was primarily ” prayers for peace “. Many people participated in this unique assembly and prayed together for peace in the world – as peace is paramount for progress and for development of dignified living with interplay across different societies in the world. We were privileged to have Hon. Roger Young (M.P.) as the chief speaker at one of the prayers. Unfortunately the temple had to be wound down during August 1975 due to our relocation to Montreal.
We love Canada for the Canadian character of openness with embrace and hearty support of diverse activities without prejudice.
I have to travel sometime due to work related responsibilities, at one time (1979) I was in Sri Lanka for a few days (on assignment for engineering work on an irrigation project there), my wife remaining behind in Niagara Falls with our daughter and expecting another child. Our ” new extended family ” were just fabulous who kept family vigilance over my wife and daughter – without an iota of intruding. We love Canada for such warmth and care.
The engineering work means we have to move sometime to new locations Рso we ended up in Montreal (during 1975) for a hydro project ( Churchill Falls Gull Island Hydro Project ) which was supposed to last at least for five years Рif not more. So we sold our house in Niagara Falls and bought another house ( in a new development) in Laval, Quebec Рwhile working in downtown Montreal. Then suddenly the project was cancelled (the funds for the project were withdrawn) and we had to move back to Niagara Falls Рhaving lived in the house for only a few months. Unfortunately the housing market in Quebec collapsed at the election of Rene L̩vesque as Premi̬re of Quebec -who had promised for referendum for separation of Quebec . It became difficult to sell the house . However, my Niagara Falls employer took care of the expenses (while the house was empty) without quibble and thus made our life a bit easier. Love you Canada for fair minded employer.
Montreal City is fabulous – it is vibrant and full of colour and activities. We liked the old town – bought a few paintings from the artists there. The city would have been top in Canada except its progress was curtailed after the Independence Referendum call and the French language primacy in the province.
English /French politics and kind of rejection felt by French by the English speaking Canada – which led to independence movement under Rene Levesque – PM Pierre Trudeau fought the dilemma passionately and came up with best solution- which defeated the referendum – and now the country is well balanced and pleasant to live . He remains (in my mind) the best Prime Minister of Canada. I believe that without Pierre Trudeau, we would not have, today, a Canada from coast to coast to coast.
Most of the differences within the country – religious (Protestant vs Catholics) or political polemics ( French vs English ) have been tackled over the years in a democratic dialogue and fair play. Love you Canada for democracy and fair play.
After about a year from returning to Niagara Falls , we were back to Montreal on assignment during late 1976 for the design of Wolsung1 – Candu nuclear power station in South Korea; Acres Consulting Services joining with Canatom as Design Consultants to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (AECL). This is when I got to know and interface with personnel from AECL.
We moved into our vacant house in Laval.
I vaguely remember the snow storm that hit the area in the early 1977 ( I think it was Friday January 28 )- anyway it took more than 4 hours by train ( which normally takes 1 hour ) from Bonaventure Metro (in downtown Montreal) to Sainte-Catherine – from where I have to walk about 10 minutes to my house. When the train arrived at the station, it was dark and windy. When I got off the train I found myself alone trying to walk towards my home in pitch dark and high winds. It was an instant when I started questioning as to what I am doing in this country but then a miracle happened – I saw a head with dark hair at about 100 feet ahead of me. This instantly removed my loneliness and I managed to trundle to my house (albeit slow) . However when I arrived at the house, I found the driveway was full of snow – some 3 feet high and also the patio door was jammed with ice. As I could not get to the front door, I had to shovel the snow from the driveway and help the wife to thaw the patio door before I could settle down and play with my 1 year old daughter -who had been waiting anxiously for daddy to return from work.
It was a momentous time for the family in Montreal . We managed to sell the house after staying in it for about a year and half and then moved into a rented apartment in Pierrefonds area of Montreal. We enjoyed the vibrancy of life in both Laval and Montreal as well as Quebec City and the Mont-Tremblant area.
One pleasant memory of that time is the fragrance and quality of egg breads and rum cakes that we used to get from a Jewish Bakery in Laval – that would melt in your mouth . Believe it or not, after we left Montreal in 1979 – whenever we go back to Quebec for a visit , we would invariably go to that bakery in Laval and bring back few egg breads and rum cakes home. What fun! We love you Canada.
We returned back to Niagara Falls in early 1979 . We are now done with living or working in Montreal. After that I worked on miscellaneous assignments with Acres Consulting Services . One of the assignments was in Calgary area for a few weeks during summer 1980. That was quite an experience in Canadian living – where people go by plane for trout fishing and barbecuing afterwards. I got invited to a couple of these barbecues – though I do not eat fish but the camaraderie was exhilarating. Calgary people are very friendly – even the waiters there are more friendlier than anywhere in Canada or the world. I know because I have been to most parts of Canada and also many countries in the world.
I must not forget the Stampede – all the hullabaloo around it . I got myself a cowboy hat (a city boy and not quite fitting in the style). The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo and festival held every July . Wow! such fun! Only in Canada.
While we are reminiscing my sojourn in Calgary (Alberta) – it does remind me of some important historical fact. Tommy Douglas in Saskatchewan floated the Medicare in 1962 but then in 1950 Alberta’s Social Credit Party also introduced a public health care plan – which became a harbinger for the Canadian Universal Health Plan.
While it is difficult to talk about all the reasons why we love Canada — I will mention one which is significant . We Canadians are so fortunate – we have one of the most effective, professional and dedicated Health Service in the whole wide world . For that we are very grateful, Canada . We love Canada immensely .
My career changed in 1981 – I joined AECL in their CANDU division (in Toronto ). So now we moved from Niagara Falls to Mississauga (Toronto area) where we bought a house – not far away from Sheridan Park – where AECL offices were located. This was the time when interest rates were high and most people were struggling to get mortgage paid and keep the living expenses in check.
While in Toronto area – one remembers the downtown and the Eaton Centre. The traffic and noise is there along with all the excitement of living in a large metropolitan city. I remember Chuck e Cheese restaurant – ” where a kid can be a kid “. Our kids used to enjoy their time there . I do not remember when we stopped going there but all in all we had good times.
On social note, I became the President of the Jain Society of Toronto in 1985. During that time , the dark incident of Air India (Flight 182) happened. The bombing of an Air India flight from Toronto to Bombay on 23 June 1985 ”” killing all 329 people on board ”” remains Canada”™s deadliest terrorist attack. The incident was the largest mass murder in Canadian history, and the deadliest incident in the history of Air India.
The Canadian Authority at the time were shocked but made a ” faux pas “. Brian Mulroney was the Prime Minister of Canada at the time. When conveying shock and condolences to India for the death of hundreds of people, the tone of wording implied that the Government of Canada had assumed most of them were of Indian citizenship. In fact most were Canadian citizens – though of Indian origin. Many people were surprised by the Canadian statement . I (as the President of the Jain Society) got an opportunity to comment about the tragedy on the CBC radio and I pointed out this ” faux pas ” and our dismay. My comment was reiterated a couple of days on CBC. For whatever reason the Government of Canada corrected the situation subsequently when all realized that the tragedy is impacting Canada more than India.
It should be noted that in earlier years when racial abuse was so prevalent around the world – this country (Canada) opened and welcomed and assimilated many Americans of African descent – gave them dignity like no other country in the world would dare or think of. As recent as a few months ago Canada again excelled in its intrinsic value and welcomed Syrian refugees with love and respect. This humanitarian action at appropriate time by Canada is very telling. This is why we love Canada.
Prior to our move to Deep River, in 1986 there was this burst of entrepreneurial energy which motivated my wife to get into owning and running a Convenience Store business in Hamilton (on Wellington Street) for a year (1985 – 1986) – which was then sold off when moving to Deep River. That year our family moved to Hamilton – for kids schooling and parental guidance. Our daughter (11 years old) became familiar with Hamilton city and use of its transportation system.
A great change was effected in my career and in our family’s lifestyle in 1986 when we moved to Deep River – with my taking up a position with Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories. Initially, this move did not meet with family’s unanimous approval as it was a move away to a smaller community but over the years Deep River grew in great esteem by all in the family. There was also one more hic-cup in accepting Deep River as a pleasant place for residing – and that was the existence of swarms of black flies and bugs .This situation has not improved but there is more tolerance and acceptance of this nature -induced phenomena and the family members have learnt to accept this as normal in the general Deep River lifestyle.
One of the advantages that the family experienced is the stability it provided in our daily life. The possibility of frequent move to different town by me on a work assignment (with my previous employment in Niagara Falls) ended and we remained anchored in Deep River – which gave my kids constant and consistence environment for establishment of friends – rather than having to change to new friends when we move to another city.
Our both kids went through school system in Deep River and when they finished their high school ( Mackenzie High) – each went away to pursue further studies at Universities of his/her choice. Now they are active participants in the economic development of Canada .
While in Deep River – the family took a trip in the summer of 1989 to all provinces west – to British Columbia in our family car on the Trans-Canada Highway. It took almost a couple of weeks to arrive at Vancouver as we made stops at all the provinces in between. At Thunder Bay we visited Kakabeka Falls. The falls is known as the “Niagara of the North ” for its similarity to Niagara Falls . On the way the kids collected box full of different types of rocks such as Amethyst – learning something about Canadian geology. There was also this thrill of having the view of Lake Superior. Alberta provided the greatest fun – like having picnic at the Rockies and enjoying the thrill of the Calgary Stampede. Manitoba and Saskatchewan Province were resplendent with prairies . The prairies in Canada refers to temperate grasslands. We stopped to visit friends at Pinawa (near Winnipeg) who were working at AECL (The Whiteshell Laboratories ) . This laboratory is now closed down . In 1998, AECL decided to close Whiteshell Laboratories. Vancouver and Victoria were pleasant cities to visit . Victoria is a city known for its wonderful gardens. The return journey back to Deep River took some 4 days .
Discovery of Canada trip did not end only going west. The family embarked on a road trip during summer of 1991 to the east up to Prince Edwards Island in our family car. We followed the Trans-Canada highway east towards Fredericton.
Our visit to Montreal and Quebec City brought back our memories when we had earlier stayed at Montreal. Kids loved and enjoyed the horse-drawn carriage ride in Quebec City.
Next New Brunswick (Fredericton) – then Nova Scotia (Halifax) – then Prince Edwards Island (Charlottetown) and finally Newfoundland (St. John’s ) and Labrador (we did not do Labrador).
There is also Saint John, a port city of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. The Bay of Fundy is known for having the world’s highest tides, and also a population of whales.
Amongst many touristy things, we went to Peggy’s Cove (Nova Scotia) , did Magnetic Hill (near Moncton, New Brunswick) , went to Army Museum Halifax Citadel and visited the Lucy Maud Montgomery Cavendish Home on Prince Edwards Island – where she wrote the novel Anne of Green Gables.
After we returned from the east, my wife thought of exercising her entrepreneurial spirit again and we bought a business (in the fall of 1991) in Petawawa (our neighborly town – where a Canadian Forces Base is located). The business was wound up in the year 1999.
My kids have found partners of their choice , they are married and we are pleasantly the grandparents to five (5) grandchildren – two (2) of them are here near us and three (3) are in Toronto.
The grandkids are enjoying Canadian lifestyle . They are into swimming, skating, skiing and play ice hockey (besides art, music and class work). Love you Canada!
As I had mentioned earlier this flowering of our family is a gift (with our emigration to Canada) that we cherish very deeply and which blossoms our love for Canada immeasurably.
Deep River has provided us many openings /possibilities ( similar to when we were in Niagara Falls &Toronto) to participate in the community activities. I have fond memories of my time with Deep River Police Service Board, Deep River Hospital Board, Community Liaison Group for Port Hope Waste, Ontario Professional Engineers -local Chapter , local bridge (card game) groups amongst others.
As we are celebrating 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation , I am proud to be a Canadian from since some 43 years ago – and my wife and I celebrated this year our 50th Wedding anniversary on Saturday 27 May here in Canada – with both of our kids & their spouses along with all 5 grandchildren – participating in the Tamarack Ottawa Race in Ottawa – along with thousands.
We are here in Canada, with its breathtaking beauty, concern for others, and pride in its diversity.
Thank you Canada for our acceptance and loving integration in the Canadian milieu.
We wish the best for the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
Pravin Shah