Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria (sixth from right, second row), Member of Parliament Rechie Valdez (seventh from right, second row), and Senator Yonah Martin (4th from left, second row) together with Deputy Head of Mission Myca Magnolia M. Fischer, Consul General Rea G. Oreta, Vice Consuls Leo Vidal and Mary Jaselle Menteer, and interns in a group photo during the reception.
31 May 2023, Ottawa – The Philippine Embassy in Canada hosted a reception on 30 May 2023 for the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group (CPIPFG) and eleven participants of the National Philippine Parliamentary Internship Program of the Parliament of Canada.
Ms. Rechie Valdez, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville and current Chairperson of the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, joined Ambassador Austria, and the Philippine Embassy Officers and staff in welcoming the interns at the Mindanao Hall. Senator Gigi Osler and Senator Yonah Martin of the CPIPFG also attended the event.
Ambassador Austria thanked the guests for their presence and lauded the CPIPFG for initiating the project to foster and mentor Filipino-Canadian youth as they prepare to become future leaders of their communities. Ambassador Austria assured the guests of the Embassy’s continued cooperation and partnership with the CPIPFG on this project.
Ambassador Austria cited the declaration by the Canadian government of the month of June as Philippine Heritage Month, demonstrating Canada’s recognition of the significant contributions that the Filipino community has made to the strength and richness of Canadian society.
After thanking the Embassy for its cooperation in the conduct of the program, MP Valdez reminded the interns of the unique opportunity given to them to experience and witness the vibrant democratic processes in Canada’s legislature. She encouraged them to take in and learn as much as they can from the internship program as they mingle and work with politicians and policy-makers.
The interns worked for various Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators. The National Philippine Parliamentary Internship Program of the Parliament of Canada runs from 8 May to 16 June 2023. -END-