Ambassador Leslie B. Gatan arrived in Ottawa to a warm welcome by the Canadian Government and the diplomatic corps in Ottawa.
On September 9, Heads of Mission representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee in Ottawa (ACO) greeted Ambassador Gatan upon his arrival at the Ottawa International Airport where he received a quick briefing on ASEAN activities.
Ambassador Gatan hit the ground running with courtesy calls on key officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) on September 13, among them Assistant Deputy Minister (Asia) and Chief Trade Commissioner Peter McGovern, Director General for South, Southeast Asia and Oceania Kenneth Macartney, Director for Southeast Asia and Oceania Lisa Rice Madan, and Chief of Protocol Margaret Huber.
During his DFAIT meetings, Ambassador Gatan discussed priority areas of bilateral relations and was briefed on Canada's Asia policy.
On September 19, Ambassador Gatan presented his credentials to His Excellency, the Right Honorable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada, on September 19 at The Citadelle of Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of two official residences of the Governor General.
The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife Lydia, Consul General Pedro Chan of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, the Embassy's first secretaries and consuls, administration officer, protocol officer and the Toronto-based Labor Attaché.
In his remarks, Governor General Johnston cited Ambassador Gatan's 28 years of public service and gave assurances of Canada's commitment to work closely with the Philippine envoy to strengthen cooperation on many levels.
During his tête-a-tête with Governor General and Mrs. Johnston, the Ambassador summed up his key priorities against a backdrop of improvements in governance. The Governor General wished Ambassador Gatan well in his rapport with the growing number of Filipinos, temporary workers and Canadians of Filipino descent whom the former described as well-educated and productive in the mainstream of Canadian society. Governor General and Mrs. Johnston also marvelled at the elaborate embroidery of the native attire of Ambassador and Mrs. Gatan and their entourage.
The ceremonial event was covered by a team from ABS-CBN which interviewed Ambassador Gatan on his work program for improving Philippine-Canadian relations.
In Quebec City, the Filipino community hosted dinner for Ambassador Gatan and the Embassy team. Passport, notarial and dual citizenship services were rendered on this occasion.
Following his presentation of credentials, Ambassador and Mrs. Gatan hosted a vin d' honneur for Canadian government officials and selected members of the diplomatic corps at Chateau Laurier in Ottawa last September 21.
In his remarks, the Ambassador conveyed his appreciation for the warm welcome accorded to him, and gave a toast to the host country as well as the nations represented by Heads of Mission in attendance.
