Pietro Sborlini 2011. 

Pietro Sborlini’s Transcript

 March 2019

Christina: Would you prefer this interview to be in Italian or English?

Peter: Preferably English. Even though I grew up speaking Italian with my mom and siblings, that was years ago.

Christina: Okay. Can you begin by explaining why you first came to Canada, and in what year?

Peter: I came to Canada in 1975, and the reason we came to Canada was because my mom believed that Canada was a land of opportunities. Economically, it made sense. Getting a stable job would be much easier to find in Canada, whereas, in Italy it’s much more difficult. Even though I have a lot of family in Abruzzo, and I do plan on going back to visit, adapting to the Canadian culture was life-changing for me. My mom moved us to Toronto, and all 7 of us lived in a tiny apartment. My mom, 2 sisters, and my 3 brothers, so it was pretty crazy. Although there were many challenges I faced in my life, I definitely believe that moving here was the best decision that my mom could ever make.

Christina:  So you did have family in Canada prior to moving here?

Peter: Yes, my second cousins. My mom wasn’t that close to them, but once we fully moved here we all helped each other out. Whether that was with cleaning or cooking, or even helping out financially. All the children would work, make money and contribute to family needs.

Christina: And how did you get here? And with who?

Peter: Well, yeah, we took a plane to Canada. I was with my mother. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was such a long process, that even though I was just a baby, it is still engrained in my mind, to this day.

Christina: Do you remember any obstacles you, your mother or any of your siblings faced while integrating to Canadian culture?

Peter: Well, because I was an immigrant it definitely was challenging for me growing up. I didn’t become a Canadian citizen until 30 years later, back in 2000’s. I had to take many classes, and write a test to receive my citizenship. Once I passed, there was a ceremony for me to attend where they handed me a certificate with my name, birth year, and the date I officially became a Canadian citizen.

Christina: Oh my God! 30 years. What did you do for 30 years?

Peter: I worked, and worked to make money for my family. I also went to school, but I wasn’t able to go to college because it was very expensive, and I had to help my mom financially. That was my number one priority. My mom was a single-mother, so it was important for me, with the help of my brothers and sisters, to make ends meet.

Christina: Do you mind me asking what happened to your father?

Peter: No not at all, he actually stayed in Italy. To this day, it’s still hard to believe but the little time that I did know my father, he treated my mother very badly.

Christina: I know that when you moved here you were very young, but did you bring any items of importance with you when you came to Canada?

Peter: When we moved to Canada, we left immediately. We picked up the few things we had, and just left. I wish I did have something from my hometown but I barely remember it, and we made new memories here in Canada.

Christina: Okay, okay. Tell me your first memory in Canada? How was adapting to the education here?

Peter: It was hard because I didn’t speak any English. I actually failed grade 1because of that. Even though I was young, I remember it being very disheartening. I didn’t want to disappoint my mom, but what was I suppose to do, I was young and still in the process of learning English. I wasn’t fluent in English until I was about 9, if I remember correctly. We all spoke Italian at home, so transitioning from one culture to the next was difficult and a very long process. All my siblings and I knew that if we wanted to be successful in life, we had to fully adapt to the Canadian way of life.

Christina: That’s so inspiring. I’m happy I have the opportunity to interview you. How was your first job? Did you have any problems getting it?

Peter: I started shovelling drive ways with my brother, Tony. He is 4 years older than me. So it was nice to have someone with me. We spent almost every other day in the cold to make money to buy groceries and other supplies we needed. Then I started volunteering with poor children because I know exactly how it feels to grow up with little to nothing. They asked me to officially be a part-time camp counsellor in the summer, where I would play with the children and babysit them during the day. I would say that was when I was about 15 years old. After a few years, I got a job making a decent amount of money at the warehouse for Oshawa Foods, it’s a grocery warehouse in Toronto. My job consisted of driving a forklift picking up items for it be shipped to the grocery store. I would say that growing up, I had a few really good jobs that taught me the importance of working-hard, and having a positive attitude towards the big things in life. As I got older, I tried other, different types of jobs, and gained more experience so that I can find the best fitting one for me.

Christina: Can you explain your life now? In regards to your family life

Peter: This is a big question. My life right now, I wouldn’t change it for anything else in the world. Although I suffered from a poor childhood, growing up with not only no money, but the challenges I faced with having to learn English, not having a father present in my life, helping my mother around the house everyday; it was definitely exhausting. I grew up with the mentality that working hard and never giving up on your dreams is key to building on your success. From there, you will find happiness, and the people around you will always be there to support you, no matter what. Growing up and having children of my own has really taught me that it is important to stick by your child and grow a bond that will last for eternity. My children know that if they have a problem, no matter the seriousness of it, they can come to me and ask for anything. My kids mean the world to me, and I hope to be the best father to them. My mom however, she isn’t doing too well. She is very sick and needs to be taken care of 24/7. She has lived a challenging, long, and great life and I care about her so much. Even though we grew up in a poor neighbourhood, we couldn’t go to college, we couldn’t go to the mall and buy whatever we wanted, I would not change the way I grew up; it defines the person I am today.

Christina: How about your job life? Have you found the job best suited for you?

Peter: I like to be my own boss. Relying on other people has taught me that, in most cases, they don’t actually have your back. Your success lies in the eye’s of your hard work, your attitude, and how much time and effort you dedicate into something. It all depends on your determination and how much you want it. I invested in a small apartment building in Etobicoke about 10 or 11 years ago, and I have it to this day. Besides my family, I put my everything into my building. I’m the one who collects the rent, takes care of problems, and I even show the unit to people that are interested. I found it very hard to keep up with at first, but once you get used to it, I really enjoyed it. I’m a very active person, so a job in an office, sitting at a desk all day, starring at a computer screen isn’t for me. Even though I wish I was able to get a college degree, I wouldn’t change my career choice at all.

Christina: Do you plan on having this apartment your whole life? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Peter: I look at this apartment building as an investment. Something I can pass down to my children. So when I’m old and can’t do what I can now, my kids can take over. In 5 years where do I see myself? Enjoying life, going on vacations with my family, and possibly even invest in another property.

Christina: Since you have lived a life with many advantages and disadvantages, what is most memorable event to you?

Peter: Having children; you and Sabrina has been hands down the best thing that has ever happened to me. And of course, meeting your mother was the best too. I met her when we were both really young, and have been together ever since. It’s been a long 20-year marriage, a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day she makes me a better person.

Christina: Aw that’s cute. Can you share the time where you met mom?

Peter: We met at the bar in Etobicoke. We were both young. She was 20 and I was 21. I never thought we would be where we are today. The story… It’s a funny one. The bar we went to in Etobicoke was called Chatters. She was with her younger sister and I was with my friend. I went up to her and asked if she wanted to dance but she brushed me off and said “I’m not that kind of girl”. Then I said “I’m not trying to marry you; I just want to dance”.  Fast forward 20 years later, married with 2 children. We got married 5 years later and had you a year after. We picked up and moved to Mississauga because it was in the middle of where we both grew up. From then on, we haven’t left Mississauga since.

Christina: Before we wrap up this interview, can you tell me an inspirational message that you live by today? And why it means so much to you.

Peter: Since I have talked a lot about working hard and coming from nothing, I would say one quote that pertains to the challenges I faced in my life would be “never give up on your goals”. It means a lot to me because after everything I’ve been through; I was taught that in order to see success you must never let any challenges get in your way and you must overcome your greatest fears in the process of attaining your goals, which I learnt at a very young age. This is why I motivate my children everyday. I tell my children to try their very best whether that’s in school or at work. If they believe in themselves, then I guarantee they will be successful in life.