ILOILO City – Filipino migrants in Canada are big contributors to the country’s economy, according to the Canadian ambassador to the Philippines.
There are 850,000 Filipinos currently living in Canada – and the number is expected further balloon – John T. Holmes told the press at the Iloilo provincial capitol.
“Filipinos (in Canada) soon will get past 1 million, and they’re contributing enormously to Canadian economy and Canadian society,” said Holmes.
Holmes paid a courtesy call at the office of Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. on Friday.
Holmes noted that 40,000 Canadias visas are issued to Filipinos every year.
According to the ambassador, he is most impressed by the Filipinos’ ability to adapt to any Canadian city, including Toronto and Vancouver.
Holmes visited Iloilo to check on a Canadian government project.
Canada sent student interns to a local university to study mangrove planting and how this can mitigate the effects of climate change, Holmes said.
Meanwhile Holmes praised the Iloilo provincial government’s initiatives on health and education.
The Canadian government is giving particular attention to education as well, believing that the youth is the hope of the nation, he said.
“They have to be educated and trained [so] that they can contribute and make our world better,” said Holmes./PN
