By CHARLES TWEED
It was seven years ago that Hector and Elena Ibarra, with their son Hector Jr., arrived in Canada from Mexico, on what they described as a ‘cold’ August day.
On Jan. 19 in Edmonton, the Ibarras took the Canadian citizenship oath — alongside 210 others representing more than 50 countries — officially making them Canadian.
“The process started over two years ago and we are very happy and proud to be Canadian,” said Hector.
“We are Canadian by choice, we chose to be Canadian. It’s not because we were born here, or because we have to, it’s something we decided to do by ourselves and we are very proud to be Canadian,” added Elena.
The Ibarras originally settled in Quebec before moving to Alberta two years ago, eventually finding their way to Ponoka. The reasons for making Ponoka home were very similar to the reasons one would expect from someone who has lived their entire life in the country of Canada — emphasis on the country.
“In a small town there is no traffic, there’s a lot of wasted time in the city. Here it is five minutes to work. And we get to know Hector’s teachers and friends — we like the small towns,” said Hector.
Hector and Elena met while working at a supermarket in Mexico. The pair was working at the market on the weekends while putting themselves through school to become engineers in Chihuahua.
Both engineers, Ponoka and Almita Piling offered Hector Sr. an opportunity for employment and now the Ibarras are happy that Canada will offer Hector Jr. opportunity as well.
“He can study and go to university or college even if we don’t have the money. He can pay for it through the government and go, it’s not an option we have in Mexico — we are lucky to be here for him,” said Elena.
“I get an opportunity to learn new languages and have a better future,” added Hector Jr.
The journey to become citizens hasn’t been without its challenges.
Citizenship comes with tests and interviews but the toughest part of the process for the Ibarras was being so far away from family and friends.
“You don’t get to see your family,” said Hector Jr.
“When we lived in Mexico, we still lived with our parents and when we came here it was just us alone. Nobody to give advice or ask for help — but everyone has welcomed us very well, we are happy to meet new people and people try to help us to understand each other,” said Elena.
It is clear, within the first five minutes of meeting them, the Ibarras are proud to be Canadian, but Canadians should also be proud of the system that allows such diversity.
“We are very proud to be Canadian. It doesn’t mean we lost our identity because we are still Mexican and we are proud of that too. But it’s something else, now we are a part of Canada. We are no longer immigrants, we are Canadians — that sounds very good and it’s nice after all these years,” said Elena.