My name is Isaías López Padilla and I come from Tamaulipas, in the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. I have been coming to Canada for seven years and I have been with this company for five. At this farm, I started by cutting asparagus, and now I am a bus driver. I participate in the packing of asparagus, in the packing of peppers, drive the bus and sometimes handle the needs that everyone has at their bunkhouses. I arrive in mid-April and return at the beginning of November.
Mm, the first time I saw snow, I was surprised because I had never seen it before and it’s beautiful, although a bit cold. It reminded me of Santa Claus [laughing]. Canada is a very beautiful country and I am very happy to be here.
In Mexico, I also work in agriculture growing Sorghum on land that is rented.
My wife’s name is Dayani Contreras. I have a boy and a girl. The girl’s name is Janely, and she is about to turn seven years old. The boy’s name is Diego, and he is about to turn two years old.
I have been coming here since my daughter was almost a newborn. Well, I told my wife that I needed to come to Canada for a better quality of life for them and for my children. That it was going to be a great sacrifice to be separated from my baby girl, who was just a newborn, but in Mexico, there are not many jobs and not much money. When I am away, my wife takes care of my children and my dad takes care of the farm.
What’s my favourite vegetable here? The asparagus. I like eating it. When I’m not working, I really enjoy cooking on the barbecue or something like that. I’m more or less a good cook. My favourite dish to make is grilled meat which goes well with asparagus and green onions!
What should Canadians know about us? That we travel from very far away to come and support them in agriculture here, to harvest their products and I would like them to know that we make a great sacrifice coming here to work.