Couple from Colombia are expecting child No. 2

Ernesto and his wife received some exciting news earlier this year: They're expecting a second child sometime in the spring.

They have a four-year-old and are looking forward to a home with even more joy and laughter. The new arrival feels significant for another reason: their first child was born in their native Colombia, and this one will be born here. They came here looking for job opportunities and a better quality of life, and now Canada truly feels like home.

“It was a dream of ours when we came to make our lives here to have a child born in Canada,” Ernesto said.

“Our child will be Canadian, our child will be Québécois. He'll grow up with those values.”

The young family has already met some of the objectives they had when they arrived here. Ernesto said they learned the basics of French quickly — in two to three months — and are now more confident speaking the language. He's also working to get his equivalencies here.

“Back in Colombia I was a medical archivist and information manager,” he said. “I hope to do that here.”

He had done much of the work needed to enter the job market in his chosen profession, but a programming course he was planning to take was delayed because of the pandemic.

In the meantime, Ernesto is working two jobs to make ends meet. He's a school crossing guard by day, which he enjoys and says was a great way to integrate into the community. He also does evening shifts at Amazon.

“The job market has been difficult for finding something in your domain,” he said.

This year, Ernesto will be one of the thousands of Montrealers in need to receive a $125 cheque from the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund.

The fund helps make the holidays a little easier for those in tough situations.