Top photo: Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria (left) and MP Rechie Valdez (right); Bottom photo (from left to right): Philippine Deputy Head of Mission Myca Magnolia Fischer, MP Rechie Valdez, Consul General Jeffrey Salik, Liberal Research Bureau Senior Advisor Jerica Mariano, Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria, and Third Secretary (Economic) and Vice Consul Leo Vidal

18 April 2023- The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, led by Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria, met with Filipino-Canadian Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez to discuss cooperation on initiatives for Filipino migrants, workers, and students in Canada.

Ambassador Austria expressed support for the National Philippine Parliament Internship Program, a six-week internship program organized by the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. The program aims to bring Canadian youth of Filipino descent to Ottawa to work as interns with a Member of Parliament or Senator for a few weeks.

Ambassador Austria and MP Valdez also discussed measures to address the various challenges faced by Filipino migrants, including credentials recognition. Both also explored potential agricultural and international development cooperation.

MP Valdez is the first Canadian woman of Filipino heritage to get elected to the House of Commons, and only the second Canadian of Filipino heritage to sit as a member of Canada’s Parliament. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Canada-Philippines Interparliamentary Friendship Group.- END