Horwath's NDP marks first Filipino Heritage Month

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement marking Ontario's very first Filipino Heritage Month, a month now formally recognized thanks to a bill from Scarborough Southwest MPP Doly Begum, which was officially proclaimed just weeks ago:

"It is my immense honour to wish a very happy first Filipino Heritage Month to the Filipino community of Ontario.

Our province is home to over 337, 000 people of Filipino origin, and we owe a great deal to Filipino-Canadians for the tremendous contributions they have made and continue to make to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Ontario.

I want to especially thank the work of those Filipino Ontarians who are essential workers and have worked hard to keep Ontarians safe and healthy, and to keep the province moving, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Going forward, the month of June will be a significant occasion to celebrate the history and achievements of the Filipino community, as it marks the important Philippines Independence Day on June 12.

Thank you to the individuals and organizations that have worked to make this important initiative a reality, and to Scarborough Southwest MPP Doly Begum, who brought this exciting bill forward.

On behalf of Ontario's NDP, a very happy Filipino Heritage Month to all."

Statement from Scarborough Southwest NDP MPP Doly Begum

“I am very honoured to have had the support and blessings of the Filipino community over the past year as they worked with my office to ensure the passage of Bill-217: An Act to Proclaim the Month of June Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario.

Throughout the past year, I have had the wonderful fortune of getting to work with many members of the Filipino community, including leaders, elders, and youth, to make this bill and this commemoration a reality.

Filipino Heritage Month must be marked as a celebration of the vibrant Filipino community here in Ontario, but also a reminder to acknowledge the immense contributions of Filipino-Canadians.

This year, especially, many Filipino Canadians have been on the front lines fighting to keep Ontarians safe and protected. As we celebrate the wonderful culture and this community, we must also actively work towards building awareness and solutions for the challenges and barriers that Filipino-Canadians face in Ontario.

I am humbled to have the privilege of working with the Filipino community, and representing the many Filipino-Canadians in my riding of Scarborough Southwest. Mabuhai!”