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The following is an accurate verbatim written transcript of the
oral record of interview conducted with Victor Losa in his home in Edmonton, Alberta
in 1973, by Sabatino Roncucci,
and transcribed by Cindy Ewanus.
Mr. L: Mr. Victor Losa
Mr. R: Mr. Sabatino Roncucci
Mr. R:
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Tell me these groups were organized by what agency?
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Mr. L:
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No, it was organized by the City of Edmonton.
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Mr. R:
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Oh, the City of Edmonton? That was in 19 what? 20-21?
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Mr. L:
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Yes, -21,-22,-23. I don't remember.
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Mr. R:
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Yes, but anyway, well that is a compliment for the City of Edmonton at that time. And even now.
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Mr. L:
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It was for all new Canadians of any origin.
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Mr. R:
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Therefore the teachers, I'm sure, did not speak Italian.
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Mr. L:
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Never, not even a word. So, I had to manage it by myself.
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Mr. R:
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Well, my compliments because I think you did it very
well. So okay, then you came in about the beginning of the 20s, the early 20s, and, well, you managed to become, in a very short time, a proprietor of a jewelry (store) and then you were appointed as a consulate...
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Mr. L:
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A regente- regent.
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Mr. R:
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Regent would have to be the right word.
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Mr. L:
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Yes, regent, because they don't appoint you right away. But then in 1936 I was appointed, nominated, with a patent
'patente' of 'agente consulare'.
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Mr. R:
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Oh yes, I saw that document signed by the ambassador. Yes, that's
good. Now tell me, how many Italians were there in the early 20s, say prior to your becoming involved as an agent.
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Mr. L:
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In the whole province?
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Mr. R:
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No, let's say first Edmonton.
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Mr. L:
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In Edmonton? About 500.
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Mr. R:
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500 Italians? And in the province? Do you have any idea?
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Mr. L:
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No. No I have no idea. But then my office covered the whole
province.
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Mr. R:
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I see.
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Mr. L:
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And part of Saskatchewan, too.
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Mr. R:
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Oh.
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Mr. L:
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Yes, because they had nobody in Saskatchewan yet.
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Mr. R:
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Would you venture any figure, say, just approximate...
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Mr. L:
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No, I would not bother looking, investigating it - so long ago, so many years
ago.
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Mr. R:
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Also, it must have been the same situation as it is now - people don't come and register with the consul agent unless they need
something.
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Mr. L:
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And now there is a stricter control of many entries of different
nationalities.
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Mr. R:
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Yes, yes, in those days, I think everything was guess work.
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Mr. L:
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They came & gone and ...freewheel.
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Mr. R:
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Tell me now, you are now about this time say, about 36, 35, you are a successful businessman, and then, of course, well, it was the dirty thirties, what I heard. How did you manage
that?
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Mr. L:
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Yes, the Depression years. I carry on, just the same. And we were able to survive. And it was
very, very hard to give service. Many Italians, they couldn't even pay for any documents. Many times I had to make them for nothing. Free of
charge.
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Mr. R:
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I guess that was a very hard time.
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Mr. L:
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It was a very thankless job, also. Because many times the Italians didn't want to give any money. They didn't like to pay. Often I had to leave the store to do some service, say, take an Italian to court, to help him translate, and I didn't receive any
remuneration.
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Mr. R:
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That's also to your credit.
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Mr. L:
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You see, we had no salaries. It was all free. It's not like the other nations that they gave a
salary.
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