Interview with V. S. Wong (Wong Mun Sing), Immigrant to Edmonton from Hong Kong

Why did you come to Canada?


My daughter lives in Edmonton and I have only [only] one child. She sponsored my immigration because she was worried that I was getting old and that she wouldn’t be able to care of me if I stayed in Hong Kong. I came directly from Hong Kong to Edmonton with my wife, but my wife got a stroke the year after we came to Canada and she was hospitalized for 14 months and died. I then moved to the seniors’ home because my daughter had her own family and I felt it wasn’t my place to be there. I am financially independent and when I retired from Hong Kong, I got a sum of money and bought a flat. When I emigrated, I sold that flat and got some money. I don’t want to obtain financial help from my daughter or son-in-law. I can afford to pay the $810 per month rent for the seniors’ home and I can afford to buy fruits.


Did you have any worries about coming over?


I had no fears. I used to be a seaman but found that it was a lonely job. When I was at the job, I’d be there for 1/2 a month or one month. So I quit that job and worked with the winery department at the “Jardine” Company. I had that job for 49 years and then retired.


I like it in Canada. I like the weather here and the fresh air. I had rheumatism in Hong Kong, but it has gotten better since I moved here. I like living in the seniors’ home; the place is clean. I go to bed at 7:30 every evening and I might get up once or twice in the evening to go to the bathroom. I get up at 4 AM, drink a cup of berry juice, eat a banana, and listen to the weather report. I go down for breakfast at 7:20 AM. They have lunch at 11.


When I was 10, I began schooling, but only had 2 ½ years of it. My father passed away when I was 13 and I had to stop school. I was born in Shanghai. I came from a poor family but now I can be more relaxed because I have some savings. My daughter and grandchildren visit on weekends to go shopping and for dim sum. She has a car and I don’t. I grow some plants in my room and in the summer I will open the windows to get some fresh air.


Do you have any special memories about living here?


I came on March 26, 1997. [Mr. Wong tells a story of arriving at customs and a woman waving him through because she had respect for seniors. He discusses his rent and the importance of fruits.]


Could you please repeat when you were born?


I was born in 1913. Seniors are pretty careful about their own health. You have to be careful walking around and not eat too much.