Philcongen Toronto Calls on Manitoba Premier
Left Photo: Consul General Orontes Castro signs the guestbook as Premier Heather Stefanson looks on; Right Photo: Consul General Castro presents the Quincentennial Award to Premier Stefanson.(Photos from Toronto PCG)
TORONTO, 15 November 2021– Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro called on The Honourable Heather Stefanson, Premier of the Province of Manitoba on 11 November 2021 at the latter’s office at the Manitoba Legislative Building. Consul General Castro was accompanied by Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, Consul (honorary) Ronaldo Opina, and Consular Assistant Marilyn V. Galanza. The Premier was joined in the meeting by Mr. Michael Richards, Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and of Crown Services, and Mr. Brad Robertson, Chief of Protocol of Manitoba.
During the meeting, Consul General Castro expressed gratitude for the good treatment given to the Filipinos in the Province of Manitoba, noting in particular, the significant presence of the Filipino community in Manitoba with Filipino garments workers in the provinces as among the pioneers in Canada. Notably, Manitoba was the first province of Canada to issue the Proclamation on the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines.
Consul General Castro also shared with the Premier the Philippine Consulate General’s efforts in strengthening bilateral relations with the Province of Manitoba, especially in trade, film development and production cooperation, and the aerospace industry.
The Premier acknowledged the significant contributions of Filipinos in Canada and conveyed that the provincial government of Canada looks forward to expanding bilateral relations with the Philippines. She expressed interest on cooperation in the creative industries and in strengthening cultural relations between Manitoba and the Philippines, including support in the passage of an Act proclaiming June every year as Filipino Heritage Month in Manitoba.
In recognition of the Premier’s invaluable support to the Filipino community, Consul General Castro presented the Premier with a Quincentennial Award. The award was given in recognition of the Premier’s initiative for Internationally Educated Nurses, which provides financial assistance amounting to C$23,000 per successful applicant for assessment and training costs to support their goal of working and being licensed as registered nurses (RN) in Manitoba. Some of the Filipino nurses who availed of the grant are now working to secure a license to work as registered nurses in the Province of Manitoba.
The Philippines was the first among the 28-members Consular Corps in Manitoba to pay a courtesy call on Premier Stefanson immediately after her election as Premier of Manitoba. Premier Stefansion is the first female Premier of Manitoba. END
For more information, visit https://www.philcongen-toronto.com/ and https://web.facebook.com/PHinToronto
The 2 Officials during the customary exchanging of gifts (Photos from Toronto PCG)