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     Victor Losa: Oral History Transcript 

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Louis (Luigi)
Biamonte

Mike Biollo

Father Giovanni
Bonelli

Camillo Bridarolli

Mr. & Mrs. Henry
Butti

John Camarta

Domenico Chiarello

Joe Fabbri

Mario Grassi

Victor Losa

Filomena Michetti

Mrs. Mamie Meardi

Tony Nimis

Giorgio W. &
Norma Pocaterra

Mr. & Mrs. John
Segatti

Romano Tedesco &
Mrs. Irma Giacobbo

Angelo Toppano

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Mr. L:  Mr. Victor Losa
Mr. R:  Mr. Sabatino Roncucci

Mr. R:

Were there people, let alone the authorities, but other Canadians who were begrudging the Italians here in Edmonton?

Mr. L:

Oh, yes, but not badly. I was never damaged, my property was never touched or damaged, never, never.

Mr. R:

So, actually, it was an understandable reaction.

Mr. L:

Yes, but then it was finished. And that was not all. Then was the declaration of war. 

Mr. R:

Oh yes, tell me something about the Second World War. What happened here?

Mr. L:

Well, as you know, Mussolini declared war on Great Britain, therefore Canada was also...

Mr. R:

...on the side of Britain.

Mr. L:

Naturally. Indirectly, she was a war enemy, too.

Mr. R:

Of Italy.

Mr. L:

Yes.

Mr. R:

So, how did you manage?

Mr. L:

I didn't like this war that Mussolini...I didn't like it at all because I knew that it was not a very, very intelligent thing to do. There was no possibility that they could possibly gain anything - or win.

Mr. R:

Tell me, what was the attitude of the Canadian authorities to the Italian community here?

Mr. L:

Well, again they didn't bother them. But - all the Italians and the Germans, they were compelled to go to the nearest R.C.M.P. detachment and register. So, I had to go to. Because, by then, I had given my resignation as an Italian Consul. I was out, and therefore, I was just an ordinary citizen. Therefore, I just went there once a month and I signed my sheet, act of presence, and that was all I did.

Mr. R:

And that was for the purpose of assuring that you were not leaving the district?

Mr. L:

Right, yes. It was a formality. 

Mr. R:

In other words, if you wanted to go to Toronto, how could you go?

Mr. L:

You would have to ask permission from them, and they would grant you the permit to leave, but that was a formality. That was the only thing.

Mr. R:

I see, that was the only reason you were ...

Mr. L:

Yes, but they didn't bother me, so...

Mr. R:

This was the authorities. Now, how about the ordinary citizens? Were they, say, behind the (soldiers?)

Mr. L:

No, no. They came in my store and gave me their business just the same.

Mr. R:

Well, that's a good ... on Canadian citizens.,,,,(garbled)

Mr. L:

Thank you very much...a characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon temperament.

Mr. R:

They are not hot like we Italians.

Mr. L:

No, no, they are not hot-tempered. .They are not fanatic. They are cool and collected.

Mr. R:

They use reason.

Mr. L:

Yes.

Mr. R:

That's good. So, I would like to ask you another few questions of, let's say, a cultural nature. Between the two wars were there any cultural activities originated by the Italians for the Italians?

Mr. L:

No, no. Because, before the war, we didn't have enough Italians to warrant to have a society like the 'Dante Alighieri'. And then I don't think they were organized as such as they are now. Then, they were not so well attached.


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