31 October 2023 - Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria received a 25-member parliamentary delegation from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on 31 October 2023.  The Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs of the Bangsamoro Parliament is in Ottawa for a study visit to  familiarize themselves with Canada’s experience in working for the welfare of indigenous peoples. While in Ottawa, the delegation received several briefings from the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada and met with several Canadian senators and members of parliament.  They also met with other advocates of indigenous peoples’ rights. The high-level delegation was headed by four (4) Deputy Speakers, namely Lanang T. Ali Jr., Omar Yasser C. Sema, Nabil A. Tan, and Paisalin P. Tago.

During the dinner in honor of the BTA parliamentary delegation, Ambassador Austria warmly welcomed the members of parliament to the Embassy’s multi-purpose hall, which incidentally is called Mindanao Hall.  Ambassador Austria took the occasion to inform the parliamentarians of the Embassy’s programs and activities to implement the Philippine foreign policy priorities in Canada.  For their part, the BTA members of parliament exchanged ideas on how to enhance cooperation between Canada and BARMM, especially in the areas of agriculture, education, and people-to-people ties. END