Italian-Canadian history explored in Guelph
Posted Jul 12, 2015 06:45:00 AM.
Last Updated Jul 12, 2015 06:53:03 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Guelph Civic Museum continues its Italian Canadian Experience exhibit today with a discussion from two people whose families spent time in an internment camp during the second world war.
31,000 Italians living in Canada during World War 2 were considered enemy aliens. The attitude of the Canadian government changed when Italy joined the German side. The RCMP were given the authority to detain and imprison Italian-Canadians considered dangerous; many were sent to prison without charges. 600 were held in prisons and camps.
Pal Di lulio and Joan McKinnon are the surviving family members of those Italians. And both will share the family stories from the prejudice and the repercussions it had on their families.
Pal Di lulio the CEO of the Columbus Centre is behind the “Ordinary Lives and Extraordinary Times” exhibit currently showing at the museum. Joining him is former Waterloo Mayor Joan McKinnon whose grandfather and great-uncle were sent to an internment camp in Petawawa.
Val Harrison with the Guelph Civic Museum says it’s hard to fathom today how the fear of war captured Italian communities in Canada. She says many experienced difficulties during and after the war even though their sons had enlisted to fight for the Canadian side in the war.
The discussion gets underway at 2 o’clock.
