‘I have people depending on me.’

Family and better opportunities drive immigrants to work hard for a place in Canada.

Max Baco
Kicker

Wearing a Spider-man mask, Giuseppe Jaco hits the gym after a long eight-hour shift at Mary Brown’s just before he gets ready for his other job as an online marketer. Like Spider-man, the 22-year-old says the mask gives him strength.

“I have people depending on me,” Jaco said, who recently moved to St. John’s.

As a student taking online classes to earn a degree in medical office administration at a Calgary private college, he also works two jobs just to support and provide for his family.

Jaco is just one of many immigrants and new Canadians who moved to Canada for better opportunities and to help provide for their families back in their home countries.

Proof of Jaco’s hard work is a burn mark on his right hand. He got a second-degree burn at one of his two jobs after a steamer fell on his hand. He put some ointment on it and went straight back to work. His dedication earned him a shot a a managerial position.

Jaco works 240 hours a month to be able to provide for whatever his family might need.

He shared how one time his mom asked him for $500. He gave her twice that amount knowing that’s what she actually needed.

Moving to Canada and supporting his family changed Jaco. Selflessness and a sense of responsibility are things Jaco came to acquire after being given the opportunity to learn and grow when he moved to Canada.

“We’re not here to be comfortable, we’re here to survive.”

He came knowing and expecting that he was going to struggle.

“We’re not here to be comfortable, we’re here to survive,” Jaco said.

“I will make sure that I will be the one my family (depends on).”

For Filipinos like Jaco, the reason leaving the country seems like a better option is, to a large extent, because of government corruption. The Philippine government is currently involved in a flood control corruption trial that saw billions of taxpayers’ money disappear.

Jaco says he took the risk to come to Canada because his family comes first, something the government there refuses to do.

“The government put themselves first …,” Jaco said.

In an economy where the leaders are the culprits of its demise, Jaco says they have no other option but to look for a place that welcomes them with the possibility of a better life and a fair chance.

“Most of us don’t have a choice. Choices and opportunities are for the rich.” said Jaco, quoting a line from a Filipino romantic movie called Hello, Love, Goodbye.

Unfortunately, this isn’t just Jaco’s life – it’s the life of most immigrants.

Misinformation and assumptions

Indians and Filipinos are the leading nationalities that migrate to Canada, according to Immigration.ca.

However, misinformation and assumptions still circulate. Immigrants often hear the comment that they are stealing jobs.

“We deserve that spot,” said Jaco. “People wear themselves (out) to get where they are.”

Nanveet Kaur, office manager at Central Immigration Services. A private company that helps immigrants migrate government paperwork. She says immigrants go through a strenuous process just to be able to apply for residency in Canada. The process of looking and applying for a job is a separate challenge.

“The most difficult part in the process right now is the finances needed and end-of-stay refusal rates,” said Kaur.

End-of-stay refusals happen when immigration officers don’t believe the applicant will leave Canada after their authorized stay ends.

According to an article on the Times Higher Education website, 53 per cent of visa applications were refused by August of this year over fears the applicant will not leave the country based on their financial assets.

Immigrants or new Canadians face the same challenges most Canadian residents do. Housing and employment are the common struggles that Canadians and new Canadians are dealing with in today’s challenging economy.

Khalid Al Hariri is with the Association of New Canadians in St. John’s.

“We (immigrants) are really lucky to be in Newfoundland,” said Al Hariri. “The people are really nice and that makes things easier for us as immigrants.”

Al Hariri says the association spoke to a number of business owners in the province who were concerned about the future. Once the younger demographic disappears, they fear they will run out of potential employees. Immigrants, says Al Hariri, can fill that gap.

The average age in Canada is 42 with the average age in Newfoundland and Labrador 48.

The reason immigrants leave their home is simple, said Kaur.

“We are all here to feed the family,” said Kaur.