PR No. 147-2024

8 November 2024, Ottawa. Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria met with Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown to discuss the concerns of the growing Filipino community in PEI. Statistics Canada Census revealed that 1,760 Filipinos are living in PEI as of 2021. The Filipino community, however, estimates that there are now 5,000 Filipinos that have settled on the Island.

Both sides are convinced that the community would benefit from the establishment of a Filipino community center in Charlottetown to serve as a place for recreation, education and organization. Ambassador Austria cited the successful establishment of  Filipino community centers in Vaughan, Ontario and Victoria, British Columbia and in various other places in North America.

Ambassador Austria invited Mayor Brown to visit the Philippines and explore further opportunities for cooperation between Charlottetown and cities in the Philippines.

Ambassador Austria and her team went on a three--day visit to PEI to meet with the Filipino community and check on Filipinos working in the Province. During the visit, she discussed with PEI government officials ways to address the barriers to recognition of foreign credentials, strengthen the Filipino community and promote trade and investments.

She was accompanied by Consul General Rea Oreta, Officer in-Charge of the Migrant Workers Office in Toronto, Benny Reyes, Trade Commissioner for Canada Mario Tani and former Philippine Honorary Consul in Charlottetown, Leticia La Rosa. END