15 March 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Petronila P. Garcia, visited Calgary, Alberta on 14 March 2015 and met with key Alberta government officials and members of the Filipino community.

Ambassador Garcia met, for the second time in a week, the Premier of Alberta, Honourable Jim Prentice, together with Minister Ric McIver of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour and Minister Manmeet Bhullar of Infrastructure.

Premier Prentice acknowledged the significant contributions of the growing number of Filipino community in Alberta, particularly in Calgary.

Ambassador Garcia thanked the Premier for warmly receiving her in the dynamic city of Calgary and expressed optimism that Alberta will continue to be a strong economic powerhouse in Canada. She gave Premier Prentice an information packet on tourism in the Philippines, including trade and investment opportunities in the country.

Ambassador Garcia and Minister McIver had extensive discussions on a number of important issues affecting the Filipino community in the province, such as the changes to the temporary foreign workers program, the bridging work permit, education and recognition of credentials.

Ambassador Garcia also met with officials of the ATB Financial, who informed her about the bank's "Filipino initiative" and support to various community projects.

Ambassador Garcia was warmly received by the Filipino community in Calgary - and received the city's special welcome and hospitality with a "White Hat" ceremony.

In a dialogue with leaders and members of the Filipino community, Ambassador Garcia provided an update on the status of the proposed establishment of a full-fledged career Consulate General in Calgary. She underlined that the Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver are working closely to realize this at the earliest possible time.

Ambassador Garcia was accompanied during her visit by Consul General Neil Ferrer, who informed the community of the Consulate's plan to conduct 16 consular outreach services in Alberta this year, with nine outreach services scheduled in Calgary.

Ambassador Garcia encouraged the community to register as overseas voters and take part in the national elections in 2016. (END)

* Photos courtesy of Mr. Raymund Roy