Canada is a country of immigrants. This is not just a statement. From the very first days of the country's existence, it was the newcomers who built its economy, infrastructure, and future. For Example, the legendary Pacific Railway was built by thousands of immigrants.
This past weekend, we went to the Britannia Mine in British Columbia - a former mine where the tours are now conducted. And, honestly, a lot of what we heard impressed us: both from a historical and human point of view
Do you know how much immigrant miners were paid?
$3 a day.
And the rent for housing was $6 a month.
Seems like a good deal? But now let's see the reality:
— noise that eventually made people deaf
— lung disease from the constant dust
— explosions due to the usage of candles instead of safety lanterns
— no insurance, no medicine.
How about the idea of sharing a bed in shifts? Not a room. Not a bunk. A bed. One person slept for 8 hours, went for his shift, the other one came to sleep on the same bed. Three people “lived” in one bed in a day. This practice was not only popular in Canada, but also in the USA, USSR, and China.
And all these sacrifices were made for a dream. For a chance. For the future.
Immigration has never been easy, but it has always been a driving force for change. Back then it happened in the mines and on the rails. Nowadays it’s happening in the offices, hospitals, schools, and again… on the railway.
And now, pay attention!
Today, the railway in Canada is no longer about hard work and dangerous conditions. It is a highly paid and stable job. For example:
To become a Railway Conductor or a Rail Traffic Controller you just need 3 months of internship.
What you get: an excellent salary, an insurance, and a great schedule.
These are priority specialties, and they are really waiting for you.
What is all this about? History always repeats itself. But now we can choose: not to work in a mine, but to get a real profession in a stable industry in three months. Immigration has changed, opportunities have not. They are still here. You just need to take a closer look.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
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