Participants to the PAOS in Halifax join officials from the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and POLO Toronto. (Photo Credit: Ottawa PE)

The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, together with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Toronto, hosted a Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) in Halifax for Filipino employees on 18 September 2022.

Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III introduced participants to indicators necessary to combat human trafficking. POLO officials led by Labor Representative Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo and Welfare Officer Malou Reyes briefed participants on POLO services available to them. Consul, a.h. Consuelo Lacson, who is based in Halifax, was likewise in attendance to welcome the participants. 

The PAOS is regularly offered by the Embassy and POLO to ensure that Filipino employees in Canada are cognizant of the services available to them from the Philippine government.

The size of the Filipino diaspora in Canada is nearly one million, with increasing numbers opting to settle in the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.