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8 May 2024, Ottawa - Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria hosted a reception with members of the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group on the occasion of the Official Visit to Canada of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on 6-10 May 2024.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Austria acknowledged the partnership between the Embassy and the Friendship Group in the conduct of various programs, including the unanimous adoption by the House of Commons to set aside the month of June each year as Filipino Heritage Month across Canada. She thanked the Parliamentarians for honoring the many contributions of Filipinos to Canadian society.

Secretary Manalo emphasized the contributions of the Filipino diaspora to the Canadian economy and society and the role of people-to-people ties in  binding the friendship and partnership between the two countries. He also highlighted the growing representation of the Filipino community in Canadian public life, as exemplified by Minister Rechie Valdez and Senator Gigi Osler. Secretary Manalo expressed hope for Parliamentarians to continue to espouse the issues that the Filipino community care about, including the recognition of foreign credentials and the establishment of Filipino cultural centers.

In his response, Member of Parliament Marco Mendicino, Chair of the Canada-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, assured the Secretary and Ambassador of the continued support of the Friendship Group on programs that uplift the Filipino community. The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, the first Canadian woman of Filipino descent elected to Parliament and former Chair of the Friendship Group, also graced the reception and expressed support for the programs and initiatives of the Friendship Group.

Composed of Members of Parliament and Senators across parties, the Friendship Group continues to grow in numbers, from 42 to 58 in the past year alone. END