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Press Release
2ND FILIPINO-CANADIAN PROFESSIONALS CONVENTION HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF FILIPINO PROFESSIONALS IN CREDENTIALS RECOGNITION
2023-10-28
The organizing committee of the 2nd Filipino-Canadian Professionals Convention with Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada Marc Miller (5th from left), Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini (7th from left) and Consul General Angelica Escalona (6th from left)
28 October 2023 – More than 100 Filipino-Canadian professionals attended the second Filipino-Canadian Professionals Convention held at the auditorium of the Improve Canada shopping complex in Vaughan, Ontario.
The event was organized by 11 Filipino-Canadian professional groups representing accountants, teachers, nurses, physiotherapists, engineers, architects, realtors, construction professionals, dentists, dental hygienists and former law enforcement officers, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto (UPAAT).
With the theme “Continuing Integration of Filipino Professionals in Canada for Growth”, the convention aims to facilitate information sharing and networking to address barriers to credential recognition of Filipino professionals in Canada.
The event began with remarks from Eng. Gil Galang, Convention Chairperson and President of the Association of Filipino Canadian Engineers, and Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica Escalona.
Speakers include the Honorable Marc Miller, PC MP, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Honorable David Piccini, MPP, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario. Minister Piccini said, “Good public policy relies on us working closely together to improve your journey here in Canada”. Minister Miller encouraged Filipino professionals to hold their politicians accountable. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to us and your MPs if you feel your voice is no being heard,” he said.
Philippine officials who provided messages include Professional Regulation Commission Chair Charito A. Zamora and Commission on Higher Education CHED Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III.
The event featured two resource persons. Ms. Connie Manzo, Accreditation Specialist at Social Enterprise for Canada, talked about the process of obtaining a professional license in Canada from the viewpoint of a non-profit that assists newcomers in Canada. Mr. Gregory Wowchuck, President – elect of the Association of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), shared the perspective of a regulatory body. He noted that Canada is unique in that its professions self-regulate, and that it is in the interest of every practitioner to ensure that the public receive the best quality of service.
An open forum capped the convention. The resource persons were joined by Consul General Escalona, Engr. Galang and Director Morgan Owen of the Immigration Policy and Strategic Initiatives Branch, Ontario Ministry Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Highlighted during the open forum were the availability of multiple support programs for newcomers and internationally educated professionals, the importance of mentorship by professionals in one’s field, and active participation of the professionals themselves, through their respective regulatory bodies and politicians, in helping shape policies that affect their professions. (END)
Participants during the convention
Minister Miller (left) and Minister Piccini (right) delivering their remarks
Left to right: Open forum participants Director Morgan Owen of the Ontario Ministry Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Mr. Gregory Wowchuck of the Association of Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Ms. Connie Manzo of Social Enterprise for Canada, Convention Chair Eng. Gil Galang and Consul General Escalona
Minister Piccini presents a congratulatory scroll from Ontario Premier Doug Ford to Consul General Escalona
Consul General Escalona and Engr. Galang present Plaques of Appreciation to the resource persons
Participants posing for a group photo with the organizers and resource persons