Filipino leaders show unprecedented support for TFWs

Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington

VANCOUVER – For the first time, BC Philippine Independence Day organizers will come together with Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, to show support for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and to call for their permanent residency to Canada. They will also highlight how the recent moratorium is unjustly “deporting” many TFWs.

Among the BC organizers are those coordinating the Surrey, New Westminster, Victoria and Cranbrook Philippine Independence Day celebrations. The June 12th Philippine Independence Day festivals, galas and parades across Canada are the biggest celebrations of the year for the Filipino community and they are held throughout June.

The press conference will be at the Filipino Plaza and it follows a Philippine Flag Raising that will be attended by a cross-section of Filipino community leaders.

“This is the first time that leaders of Filipino-Canadian organizations will come together to mark the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day with the expression of support for the most vulnerable in our community – the temporary foreign workers,” says Mable Elmore, who noted that Manitoba’s Minister for Multiculturalism and Literacy, Hon. Flor Marcelino will also issue a statement of support next week.

When:
Sunday, June 1st at 11am

Where:
Filipino Plaza, 2351 Vanness Avenue (near Nanaimo); across the street from the Nanaimo Skytrain Station.

Who:
Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver – Kensington
Annie Miles – New Westminster Philippine Day organizer (Royal City Sister City Society)
Narima dela Cruz – Surrey Philippine Independence Day organizer (Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society)
Representative – Victoria Philippine Independence Day organizer (Victoria Bayanihan Centre)