Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILCONGEN TORONTO CALLS ON LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF ONTARIO
2021-12-20
16 December 2021, Toronto – Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro called on today with The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor and Vice-Regal Representative of Queen Elizabeth II in the Province of Ontario at the latter’s office at the Ontario Legislative Building in Queen’s Park, Toronto. Consul General Castro was accompanied by Consular Assistant Marilyn V. Galanza.
Consul General Castro expressed gratitude for the good treatment given to the Filipinos in the Province of Ontario, as well as conveyed the Holiday greetings from the Filipino community and the Philippine Consulate General. He highlighted the recent approval of Bill 217 proclaiming the month of June every year as “Filipino Heritage Month” in the Province of Ontario. The Act was given Royal Assent and became effective on 20 May 2021. There is a significant presence of the Filipino community in Ontario, which continues to be among the primary destinations of Filipino workers, students and other migrants in Canada.
Consul General Castro conveyed to the Lieutenant Governor that the Philippine Consulate General is working to strengthen bilateral relations with the Province of Ontario, especially in trade, film development and production cooperation, and the continuing investment activities of Filipino-owned businesses in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the positive values and significant contributions of Filipinos in Canada and conveyed that the provincial government of Ontario looks forward to expanding bilateral relations with the Philippines. She expressed interest in strengthening further the cultural relations between Ontario and the Philippines.
In recognition of the Lieutenant Governor’s invaluable support to the Filipino community and the Philippine Consulate General, Consul General Castro presented the Lieutenant Governor with a Quincentennial Award. The award was particularly in recognition of the Lieutenant Governor’s full support for the approval of the Act on “Filipino Heritage Month” celebration in Ontario. The Lieutenant Governor expressed appreciation for the award. END –