Canada's forgotten internment: Hundreds of Italians sent to camps during WWII
World War II was a frightening time for Canadians. It was frightening for those who fought on battlefields, so far from their homes. And it was frightening for those at home, waiting for news of their loved ones.
Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King's declaration of war on Italy
But it was also a frightening time for anyone who happened to have been born in the wrong country — like Germany, Japan or Italy — people who were born abroad, but who were now perceived as enemies or potential threats, here on Canadian soil.
During World War II, the RCMP rounded up close to 600 Canadian residents of Italian origin. These people — often their family's breadwinners — were hand-picked under so-called "reasonable suspicions." Francesco Scappatura was one of those chosen. He was a successful business owner in North Bay, Ontario, and well-respected in the community. Francesco had been in Canada since 1924.
He built a life, raised a family, was rooted in the community. I can't help but think he had a lot to lose.- Angela Scappatura, on her grandfather, Francesco
In June of 1940, the RCMP arrived at Francesco Scappatura's home. He was in the back garden with his young son and daughter. In front of his children, the RCMP took Francesco away. His family did not know where he was going, and neither did he.
Francesco Scappatura spent five months in an internment camp at Petawawa, Ontario. He was held there with his brother Vincenzo, brother-in-law Carmine, and over 500 other men.
Last year, his granddaughter Angela, set out on a mission to understand why.
In her powerful documentary Camp 33, Angela Scappatura interviews family members and digs into old newspaper articles... plus a very old slideshow projector... to finally get some answers before the story is lost forever.
Listen to the documentary by clicking on the "Listen" link at the top of this page.
Angela Scappatura is a producer and presenter with CBC National Radio News. She began her journalistic career with CBC Radio covering local news in northeastern Ontario. Since then, Angela has filed stories for regional and national radio, and worked as a reporter for newspapers and magazines. She is also an accomplished photographer and musician.