21 August 2018 – Four Members of Parliament of Canada, who are also members of Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group (CPPFG), and a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta undertook a short visit to the Philippines on 20-23 August 2018.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of Government in the House of Commons, headed the Canadian Parliamentarians in meeting with top officials of the Executive and Legislative branches of the Philippine Government to strengthen Philippines and Canada institutional linkages and people-to-people exchanges. Members of Parliament Robert-Falcon Oullette, MaryAnn Mihychuk, Kellie Leitch and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Cindy Lamoureux joined the parliamentary delegation.

Deputy Chief of Mission Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa met the Parliamentarians in Manila and accompanied them during the visit which included a call on the Senate of the Philippines, a wreath laying ceremony at Rizal Park (bottom right photograph) and a visit to the Philippine Navy (top photograph). DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella warmly received the visiting parliamentarians (bottom left photograph).

Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia underscored that the visit was a strong testimony of the vibrant and growing relations between the two countries. She also credited MP Kevin Lamoureux as one of the staunchest supporters of Filipinos in Canada who recognized the vital role of Filipino immigrants, numbering close to a million in the latest survey, in Canada’s multicultural society.

The Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives extended the invitation to the CPPFG. The Senate Office of International Relations and Protocol, headed by Director General Antonio de Guzman, coordinated the visit with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.–END-