(1st row, L-R) Members of Parliament (MP) Francesco Sorbara, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria, MP Arielle Kayabaga, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MP Rechie Valdez, MP Kevin Lamoureux, MP Jean Yip, MP Ya’ara Saks, (2nd row, L-R) MP Wilson Miao, MP Marie France Lalonde, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, MP Paul Chiang, MP Sonia Sidhu, MP Terry Duguid, MP Leah Taylor-Roy, MP Lisa Hepfner, MP Marcus Powlowski, MP George Chahal, and Transport Minister Omar Alghaba
13 June 2023, Ottawa – Citing the Philippine value of “bayanihan”, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked the Filipino community for their sacrifices and contributions to Canadian society during the celebration of Filipino Heritage Month and Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2023.
Filipinos and Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill on Monday to celebrate the 1st in-person celebration of Filipino Heritage Month since the COVID-19 pandemic, held at Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Wellington St., Ottawa. Organized by the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group (CPIPFG), the event brought together Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators, representatives from the business sector, representatives of various Filipino organizations in Ottawa, and nearby cities, and the officers and staff of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canada.
MP Rechie Valdez, Chair of the CPIPFG, welcomed guests and noted the growing partnership between the Philippines and Canada.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria thanked the Friendship Group for its continued support to the Filipino Community. She highlighted the growing representation of the community in Canadian public life, as exemplified by MP Rechie Valdez and Senator Gigi Osler. She thanked the Members of Parliament for honoring the many contributions of Filipinos to Canadian society.
Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted the recent positive developments in the bilateral relations, especially in the context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, including the decision to establish Canada’s Regional Agriculture Office in Manila, as well as the visa-free travel for Filipino “known travelers”.
The program showcased rich Filipino culture through cultural performances, music, and other special presentations from members of the Filipino community. END