Item 19 - Interview of Winnie Wong

32.2 MB (1 file) : mp3 ; 0 hr., 14 min., 5 sec.

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

From Transcripts [Extended notes] compiled by Vivienne Poy:

Winnie Wong (dependent of daughter) 1974, interviewed in Toronto.

• Born in Shanghai in 1926, the 9th child out of 14. When she was 7, with the Japanese incursions into China, 918 incidence, the family decided to go back to Hong Kong where they came from. Her grandfather had 1 [wife] and 4 concubines.
• She attended Hip Yun, a [Protestant] school. Her education was interrupted by the Japanese occupation, but resumed after the war until she graduated. Despite the fact that she came from a prosperous family, she didn’t like sitting at home. She went to work at the Shewan, Tomes & Co. as a clerk. She also worked in a bank.
• She was married in 1949 and had 3 daughters. Because they had servants, she went out to work again. When the eldest daughter graduated from Maryknoll, she worked for the Canadian immigration office for a few years. She liked Canada, and applied to study in here.
• All the daughters wanted to come to Canada, and because the eldest have her friends at Canadian Immigration, it was very easy for them. Winnie was happy working in the Prince’s Building, but since the daughters all wanted to immigrate, she also immigrated with them.
• The eldest daughter came in 1970, and Winnie came in 1974 with the younger 2 daughters. She was widowed by that time. The younger daughters were already over 21, but they were allowed to come in as a family. It was easy for the daughters to get work because their English is good. The youngest worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia. She found that work is more demanding in Canada than in Hong Kong. She was the secretary to 1 boss in Hong Kong, compared to being secretary to 3 bosses here. After 1 year, she applied to City Hall and remained there for over 20 years.
• The second daughter worked as a secretary at a factory until her 2 sons were born, and her husband wanted her to stay home to look after the children. She remains a house wife until now, even though her children are graduating from university.
  The eldest daughter worked for Bell telephone for over 20 years, but because of her divorce, she went back to Hong Kong. She is now also successful in Hong Kong working for the Miramar Group.
• When Winnie first came to Canada, she had already worked with the same company in Hong Kong for over 10 years. She really missed her work. After she arrived, because of her lack of knowledge of English, and she was getting on in age, she stopped working. She took English courses for immigrants at George Brown College for 6 months. She had little difficulty understanding English, having come from Hong Kong, but it’s the spoken language that is difficult.
• As a new immigrant, she received $200.00 per month, and $60 subsidy per week for transportation and living allowances. The courses were very strict in the training for spoken English and she really appreciates it. She has [enough] knowledge for everyday usage, but would have difficulty if she has to explain an ailment to an English speaking doctor.
• At first, she really regretted coming to Canada, but in time, she came to like Canada. Particularly in the past 10 years, she felt that Chinese Canadians have gained the respect of Canadians. Now that she has reached retirement age and is getting a retirement income, life is very peaceful. Now, in Hong Kong, the seniors who have less than $300,000.00 also receive approx. $3,000.00 per month. They get more after age 70. She said, as a senior, when she’s back in Hong Kong, she can ride the Star Ferry free! Hong Kong now treats it seniors much better than when she was there, but she still likes Canada better. For one thing, the air is better. She feels very lucky to be here.
• For entertainment, she plays mahjong, go out for dimsum with friends, read the Chinese newspapers, and watch Chinese TV. These were not available in earlier years.
• Winnie has the concern that OHIP is considering cutting coverage of services, as well as certain prescriptions for medication. Free medical care is so important to the elderly.