OTTAWA - The Philippine flag flew majestically on the spire top of the Parliament Building of the National Assembly of Québec, thus signalling a renewed and refreshed sense of comity between the Philippines and Québec Province, as Philippine Ambassador Leslie Gatan led an Embassy Economic Mission travelling to the province from 21 to 22 March 2012.

During the visit, Ambassador Gatan called on the Honourable Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, and the Honourable Jacques Chagnon, Speaker of the National Assembly of Québec. He also visited the facilities and met with officials of Québec International, and the L'Institut National d'Optique (INO) de Québec or the National Institute for Optics.

"Our mission is to cultivate friendship among Filipinos and Canadians," said Ambassador Gatan, who was accompanied by First Secretaries and Consuls Eric Tamayo and Porfirio Mayo, and Philippine Labor Attache Francisco Luna. They sought to foster and expand greater economic and commercial linkages with and among Philippine and Québécois enterprises of all sizes coming from diverse sectors, and ensure the welfare of Filipino migrants and temporary workers in the province.

During his calls on government officials Ambassador Gatan drew attention to the similarities between the Philippines and Québec Province - both being predominantly Catholic, and the shared European heritage between the two.

Ambassador Gatan notes a substantial degree of the goodwill towards Filipinos among the officials and parties that were met, borne out of their individual positive personal encounters with them and their constituencies.

The Ambassador further welcomed the assurances of Minister Gagnon-Tremblay that immigrant workers would be protected and treated the same as Québécois, and praised Québec's advocacy for human rights and its strong adherence to its civil code which mirror the rule of law in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Speaker Chagnon was pleased to hear that the Philippine economy is doing well, and that the drive against corruption is being sustained by President Benigno Aquino III - whose mother, former President Corazon Aquino is highly regarded by the Honorable Chagnon himself.

INO, which specializes in optics and photonics looks forward to possible collaboration with Filipino scientists and engineers. For its part, Québec International gave assurances of support for matching businesses and creating value as further efforts on increasing economic and commercial partnerships among enterprises of the Philippines and Québec Province get underway.

Further avenues shall also be undertaken and explored as many possible opportunities exists for people to people and cultural exchanges and in further acquainting the people of Québec and the Philippines with each other. END

Photos Below.