I remember leaving Prince George with a mindset that I had kept base with some temporary foreign workers who were beginning their lives in Canada. Now that TFW has become an acronym for overseas laborers employed by companies who could not fill a void to keep their business running smoothly, I remember them -- happy, well-educated, respectful Filipinos hopeful to be a citizen of this country.
Recruited by a local agent, they knew that separation from family was a sacrifice yet a probable better life through employment in Canada. These TFWs are here because Canadians do not want the job at least for not a great length of time, commitment or longevity. They are the lucky ones because the recruitment process is tough and even though most of them have earned a univeristy degree in engineering, banking and finance, nursing, hotel and restaurant administration, accounting or computer IT, they humbly put their degrees in the background, stand tall, are compliant, dedicated, punctual and keep their true faith.
Filipinos who are TFWs cannot practice what they have worked so hard to learn because it takes a lot of Canadian dollars to upgrade and get a better livelihood in Canada to repay their friends and relatives who lent them money to go to Canada and are tied down by the immigration rules in a working visa. So, they are joyful that in spite of the terms of their employment, they are in Canada with the latent dream of someday earning the right to become a permanent resident.
To those young men and women plucked from the comfort of a marginalized republic to struggle with the cold winters, to walk through the snow to their work place, and to serve to fill the void that naturalized Canadians opt not to get into in Prince George, I remember you, I know your worth. When the time comes for the TFWs to return to the Philippines, who will be so worthy to fill that gap?
Melissa Coventry
Islay, Alberta
