The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Philippines which range from people-to-people cooperation, education, and trade.
Local officials, notably the Mayor of Toronto John Tory, MPP Doly Begum for Scarborough Southwest, Councillor Jim Karygiannis of Ward 22 Scarborough-Agincourt, Councillor Josh Matlow for Ward 12-St. Paul, and former Councillor Neethan Shan, were present to celebrate with the Filipino-Canadian community. In their remarks, they acknowledged the important contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community to the economic development of Canada and their role in further enriching Canada’s cultural mosaic.
The messages of the officials carried a common theme; they cited the shared values of freedom, democracy and the importance of family that binds the Philippines and Canada.
In celebrating the past 70 years of diplomatic and trade relations between Canada and Philippines and the M155-declaration of National Filipino Heritage Month, here are the acknowledgements from the Members of Parliament during the passing of the Members’ Bill on October 30, 2018:
Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism
“Canadians of Filipino heritage have contributed in many invaluable ways to the fabric of our society. Many Filipino Canadians have received international recognition for their work and established themselves as leaders and trendsetters in their fields. They continue to leave an indelible mark on their diverse fabric in every aspect of our lives, strengthening Canada in this process.”
Steven Blaney, MP, Bellechasse-Les Etchemins-Levis, QC on behalf of the Conservative Party
“Canadians of Filipino heritage have contributed in many invaluable ways to the fabric of our society. Many Filipino Canadians have received international recognition for their work and established themselves as leaders and trendsetters in their fields. They continue to leave an indelible mark on their diverse fabric in every aspect of our lives, strengthening Canada in this process.”
Sheri Benson, MP, Saskatoon West, SK
“The Filipino community in Saskatoon, indeed in Saskatchewan and all throughout Canada, has enriched Canada’s diversity. Its members have worked and volunteered beside us, contributed to our joint community-building projects, generously offered their leadership in times of need, and have become our friends and neighbours.”
SHAUN CHEN, MP, Scarborough North
“Over 850,000 of our fellow Canadian are of Filipino descent, the largest Southeast Asian group in our country. The Philippines is also one of Canada’s largest sources of immigrants. This has led not only to greater intellectual learning but has also strengthened bilateral relations and people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines. “
“An example of this relationship was the aftermath of the catastrophic typhoon Haiyan, which impacted more than 16 million people in the Philippines. In those trying times, our two nations stood shoulder-to-shoulder in this tragic aftermath.”
The very first migrants from the Philippines arrived in Canada in 1930. Many of the original Filipino Canadians were women who came to Canada to work in the health field as teachers and nurses. As more Filipino migrants arrived, they opened businesses, worked in professional positions, doctors, nurses, and teachers.
Kevin Lamoureux, MP, Winnipeg North, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
“I want to talk about the Manitoba story, if I can. Back in November of 1959, we had four people from the Philippines arrive in the province of Manitoba. Kit is believed that they were the first four from that community to arrive. In May 2009, I had the privilege in the Manitoba legislature to introduce a resolution to mark the 50th anniversary of those four nurses arriving in Manitoba.”
“Today, the Filipino community in the province of Manitoba is getting close to 100,000. Think about that. Canada’s population is getting close to 37 million and the Filipino community is getting close to one million. I would suggest that in the province of Manitoba, we get a good sense of how much that community has contributed to the overall economic and social vibrancy of the province. It adds so much value.”