Coming to Canada
Having a trade made it easier for a young man and his family to earn a better living here
My husband Peter was born in Bramdrup, Denmark in 1937. He completed his schooling there (up to Grade 8) and at the age of 14 began apprenticing to become a carpenter, which took four and a half years.
In 1958, Canada was inviting immigrants to come here, especially those who had a trade certificate as Peter did. It was easier for him to come over than it was for his dad, who did not have a trade.
The cost of Peter’s ticket was $356; to help pay for it, he borrowed $178 from the Canadian government, which he had to pay back at $20 a month. He sent in the cheques every month until he eventually received a cheque back for $20 as he had overpaid!
Peter left Denmark on April 3, 1958, the first of his family to make the journey across the Atlantic. The passenger ship took ten days to cross the ocean, then he spent four days travelling by train from Montreal to Calgary. From there he took a bus to Carbon, Alta., where he had relatives.
He soon found work doing odd jobs for farmers in the area. He also found work for his dad, whom he sponsored along with one of brothers, to come over. Shortly after, his mom and two younger brothers joined them.
Peter’s first major purchase was a radio that he listened to every chance he got to learn and understand English better. His next purchase was a Black and
Top: Peter and his prized Monarch car. Right: Peter (left) travelling to Calgary by train.
Decker skill saw and soon other tools followed.
He also bought a 1949 Monarch that he drove with his Danish driver’s licence until he got stopped by police and had to go to court in Drumheller, Alta. He paid a $5 fine and a $2 surcharge—and soon got his Alberta licence.
After working for a building contractor for five years, Peter and his two younger brothers decided to go out on their own. They opened a hardware store, a lumber yard and a large shop where they built cabinets, did renovation jobs, and eventually built pre-fabicrated homes.
In Denmark it was compulsory to join the Danish military, for which Peter had registered before leaving. In 1964, the Danish government sent him bus, train and boat tickets to go back there to serve in the army in the engineering regiment for a two-year term.
Peter and I had married in 1961, and we now had a child so, what to do? Should he go back with or without us? It was a very scary time for awhile. Instead, Peter got his Canadian citizenship papers so they couldn’t make him go back. He returned all their tickets to them.
His citizenship papers were guarded with our lives, or so we thought. When we needed them to travel to the United States, we couldn’t find them. Panic struck again; we hunted everywhere and finally had to have replacement copies made.
We sold our home in Drumheller to a friend and moved to an acreage closer to our place of work. Years later, we moved to British Columbia. Twenty-six years later, the postman was at our door with a registered letter to be signed for. Would you believe it was Peter’s original Canadian citizenship certificate! The buyer of our first home found it in her cupboard under some shelf paper!
We now live in northern Alberta and Peter remains a proud Canadian—and he has his citizenship certificate to prove it!
Can you find it? It could be anywhere, but it’s not the one below! If you spot the loonie, tell us in which issue and on what page on a postcard, or in a letter, and mail your entry to “Spot the Loonie” Contest, P.O. Box 975, STN Main, Markham, Ont., L3P 0K7. Or join the fun online by visiting ourcanada.ca and clicking on “Spot the Loonie.” We’ll collect all the entries and have a drawing every other month. The first five correct entries we draw will win $50. Entries will be accepted until July 31, 2020.
For complete rules, write to “Spot the Loonie” Contest, Reader’s Digest Contest Administrators Office, 5101 Rue Buchan, Suite 300, Montreal, Que., H4P 1S4. This contest is open to all Canadian residents who, at the time of participation, have reached the age of majority according to the law of the province or territory in which they reside. One entry per person, per day is allowed.
In the March issue, we hid the loonie on page 21 within the Our
Travels department.
We’ll publish our latest winning loonie-spotters in an upcoming issue.