Italian Italo Gioia, interned in Camp Petawawain 1940

Editors note: BayToday presents this article as part of Italian Remembrance, Recognition and Renewal in North Bay.

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In 1940 four men from North Bay were taken from their families and held in the remote internment camp at Petawawa. At the time, 31,000 Italian Canadians were designated as enemy aliens and had to report to the RCMP.

Today Italian Canadians are part of the rich fabric of our city as citizens, neighbours, and businesspeople… serving the community in many ways. Eighty years ago, at the beginning of World War 2, there was turmoil and war. When Mussolini declared war on Canada loyalties of Italian Canadians were questioned, here in North Bay and across Canada. Six hundred men and women were sent to prison or internment camps just in case they tried to start trouble. Not one of them was charged with a crime.

Italo Gioia, was born in Italy, immigrated to Canada, and settled in North Bay with his wife. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway.  He was an active member of the North Bay Italian community, organising youth trips to Italy and teaching art. He had a passion for Italian culture in architecture, music, and the other arts.  He became a member of the fascist party because of its commitment to enhancing Italian culture, but he was not a political activist.

During the dark period of his internment in Camp Petawawa, he sent his family beautiful sketches of flowers, nature, and the scenery around the camp. 

On his return from the camp, Gioia lost his position with the CPR and, hurt and embarrassed, moved to Toronto where he settled into new work as a machinist and grew a wonderful garden of vegetables and grapes.

He was well-educated and his intellectual passion for Italian culture and its art never waned. Gioia’s passion for Italian culture passed down to the younger generations in his family and this is the legacy that his family proudly carries today.

In these days of war and turmoil, in these days when Canadian citizens are increasingly active in righting past injustices and the suffering created by governmental decisions, the Davedi Club has taken on the responsibility to share this part of Italian/Canadian history and the all-party Federal Government apology in the house of Commons in May 2021.

To reflect on the internment of Italian Canadians in WW2 the Davedi Club has arranged a series of events from June 5 to June 12…documentary, static display, memorial stone, formal dinner and renewal celebration with a soccer tournament. All welcome!