Statement from Andrea Horwath marking Philippine Independence Day

Statement from Andrea Horwath marking Philippine Independence Day:

New Democrats join the Filipino community here in Ontario and across the world to celebrate Philippine Independence Day.

Today, we recognize and honour over 337,000 Ontarians of Philippine origin, and the positive impact they have made and continue to make in Ontario, Canada, and throughout the world.

June is also Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario. As we celebrate the social and cultural contributions of Filipino community members to our province, we also recognize that many Filipino Ontarians have been working to keep us safe and healthy and to keep the province moving during COVID-19 as essential workers.

As we pay tribute to the Filipino Ontarians on the frontlines, we must recommit to building a province where everyone has access to safe working conditions and paid sick days, and nobody is underpaid or undervalued for their essential work.

This year while the COVID-19 pandemic has lead us to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month and Philippine Independence Day differently by practising physical distancing to help limit the spread of the virus; I look forward to celebrating with you in person next year.

On behalf of the Ontario NDP, I want to wish all those celebrating, Happy Philippine Independence Day!

Mabuhay!