Item 17 - Interview of Angelina Kwong

66.2 MB (1 file) : mp3 ; 0 hr., 28 min., 55 sec.

Audio recording of interview with Angelina Kwong conducted by Vivienne Poy in Toronto, ON. Interview conducted in Cantonese.

From Transcripts [Extended notes] compiled by Vivienne Poy:

Angelina Kwong, (dependent of father) 1969, interviewed in Toronto

• Born in [Chongqing] in Jan. 1950, the youngest of 4 children.
• Her father worked for the American air force. When the communists took over in 1949, the family waited for the birth of Angie in Chongqing, then went back to their village, Hoiping, [Guangdong] Province. Her father left for Hong Kong in Feb. 1950. The family stayed in the village for 5 years.
• The family left for Hong Kong, bit by bit. In 1952, her older sister left for Hong Kong, and from then on, it became very difficult to leave. A reason was made up that the daughter was getting married, and the family must be at the wedding of the eldest daughter. Angie’s mother brought her and her 12 years old brother to Hong Kong. The oldest sister who was 16 years Angie’s senior, stayed with their grandmother, and came to Hong Kong 2 -3 years later with another relative. The family was able to be re-united in Hong Kong in 1958.
• In 1960, Angie’s eldest sister’s [fiancé] applied for her to come to Canada. His father lived in Canada, but sold the report of his birth to someone else. The father subsequently bought another cert from somebody in order to get him to Canada in 1958. After he arrived, he applied for Angie’s sister.
• The family had a very difficult time in Hong Kong because her father couldn’t take any money out. They were very poor. In 1967, during the riots in Hong Kong, her older brother had just graduated from 2 years of drafting. The Canadian immigration policy allowed independent immigrants with skills to apply. He applied.
• At that time, there were many “paper brides” of the same age as Angie, as well as those who barely knew their husbands, and took a chance to have a new life to come to Canada. Fortunately, despite their poverty, Angie’ parents were very much against it. She was able to finish grade 12 in Hong Kong. By then, her brother was settled in Canada, and could sponsor his family.
• Her father was a mechanic, and her brother’s employers gave a letter guaranteeing him a job when he got here. At the same time, her eldest sister gave the guarantee that, if the need arises, she would support them. This made their application very easy. Angie and her other sister were both under 21, so the whole family came to Canada in 1969 and had another family reunion.
• She was very happy to be in Canada. The family had borrowed a lot of money to come, so they couldn’t afford to send her to much more schooling. The oldest sister didn’t end up helping them at all. The family rented her house to live in.
• Angie went to George Brown College to study Commerce for 2 years, and then came out to work. In 1971, she started working as a clerk at the head office of CIBC. Her other sister worked with OHIP. Together, the family was able to buy their own house in 1972. Angie remained working in CIBC for 9 years.
• In 1973, Angie married Ken Kwong. They met in 1968 while Ken worked in Citibank in Hong Kong. Ken had studied at the Baptist College for 1 year before that, and since he couldn’t get a degree, he left to work at Citibank.10 months later, Angie left for Canada. Ken promised to be in Canada within 3 years. Ken saved up for 2 years, and applied to go to a junior college in California. Within 10 months, visa was granted. He used it as a stepping stone to Canada. He did 2 years work in 1, and then transferred to Boston U. Then, he and Angie could be closer. He graduated in 3 years, and they were married in 1973.
• Angie has been in Canada over 30 years, and she is happy and thankful that she is here. She feels that Canada gives a lot of opportunities to immigrants, and as long as you are willing to work, you’ll succeed. She compares Canada favourably to the U.S., to Australia and New Zealand. she feels little discrimination in Canada. After working for 9 years, she has served her community for 18 years.
• In 1983, because of her son and daughter, she got involved with the Chinese school of the Mon Sheong Foundation every Saturday morning. From then, she got to know more people in the community. In 1987, she became a member of the Board of the Mon Sheong Foundation. From 1990, she became more involved with the fundraising for the Foundation. She also started the Fun Run on Mother’s Day, a joint fundraising effort for Baycrest and Mon Sheong. She also spent her time organizing events for the old people in the Mon Sheong Home. She learnt a lot from working with the community and learnt about people’s characters. Over 21 years, the Chinese school has grown from about 60 students to thousands of students. She has no regrets in all that she was involved in, and is thankful for the [opportunities] Canada gave her and her family.
• She has a lot of opportunities to speak to new immigrants parents who send their children to the Chinese School. She always remind them that they must think of themselves as Canadians first, but Canadians of Chinese heritage. She opposes people who only take the benefits from Canada, and not contribute to this country. Many work and make money in Hong Kong and don’t pay any taxes, but they bring their aged parents here to get old age pension, and when they are sick, they come back for free health care. Some even boast that it’s cheaper to buy the plane ticket than to pay for medical care in Hong Kong. As a tax payer, she feels she’s being taken advantage of.
• Angie’s family has no religion.
• Her son was born in 1976, and her daughter in 1980. The children are doing very well. Her son excelled in academics, and is now a doctor. Her daughter just graduated from university, and will continue in Accounting at U. of Waterloo, and because it’s co-op programme, she actually works in Toronto.