20 July 2024, Halifax – Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria undertook an official visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 18-20 July 2024, during which she met with key provincial and municipal officials, visited several educational and business institutions, and met with members of the Filipino community.

Ambassador Austria met with  The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, The Honourable Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, Honourable Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills, and Immigration of Nova Scotia,  of Job, Skills, Executive Deputy Minister Tracey Taweel,  Deputy Minister for Advanced Education Ryan Grant,  Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Jason Hollett, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, as well as officials of Invest Nova Scotia and Health Innovation Hub, and the Center for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE).

Lt. Governor LeBlanc, who received the Ambassador with his wife Patsy, welcomed the growing trend of the Filipino diaspora into his province, as he praised their excellent work ethics and devotion to duty.

Ambassador Austria thanked Premier Houston for warmly receiving her to his beautiful province and expressed optimism for increased cooperation between the Philippines and Nova Scotia, especially in the areas of trade and investment, education, labor and migration, as well as people-to-people ties. She commended Nova Scotia for its pioneering approach to registration and licensure of internationally-educated nurses in the province, which has facilitated the credentials recognition of Philippine nurses. After acknowledging the significant contributions of Filipinos in his province. Premier Houston recalled his visit to the Philippines last year during which he witnessed the dynamism of its people and vibrancy of its economy.

Minister Balser and Ambassador Austria had extensive discussions on a number of important issues affecting the Filipino community in the province. Minister Balser assured the Ambassador that they shared the same vision of ensuring that Filipinos have a meaningful career in Nova Scotia, one that is respectful of their training and experience.

In her meeting with Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, Ambassador Austria noted the thriving Filipino diaspora, many of whom have established their own businesses. Mayor Savage said that the Filipino community in his city has enriched the cultural landscape of Halifax. Mayor Savage also requested the Embassy’s assistance in identifying a city in the Philippines with which Halifax can enter into a twinning agreement.

Ambassador Austria met with officials from Invest Nova Scotia during which she invited them to participate in the Team Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines in early December.

Ambassador Austria took the opportunity to visit the Nova Scotia Community College and Dalhousie University to explore opportunities for academic exchanges and cooperation, especially in the area of agriculture, ocean sciences, and allied medicine. Ambassador Austria also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Dalhousie University and the Romblon State University on cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, and allied medicine.

In the Town Hall meeting, Ambassador Austria met with around 50 leaders of various Filipino community organizations, many of whom are nurses. Ambassador Austria shared with them the results of her meetings with the Nova Scotia officials, and updates on Philippines-Canada relations. She commended the “bayanihan” spirit within the community, especially in terms of supporting newcomers to navigate through the various labor and other regulations and processes.

Ambassador Austria encouraged the community to register as overseas voters and take part in the national elections next year. She also called on the community to actively participate in institutions where important decisions are being made so the voice of the Filipino diaspora may be heard.

Ambassador Austria was accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission Myca Magnolia M. Fischer and Honorary Consul Consuelo Lacson during her  meetings in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia is one of the provinces in Atlantic Canada and has a population of 1 million. It has a strong fisheries and aquaculture, defense and security industry, education, and tourism.  There are an estimated 8,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians in the province, majority whom are living and working in Halifax.(END)