Filipinos Set to Launch Migrant Rights Group Converging in Alberta’s capital city Edmonton on August 31, Filipinos in the province gear to launch their group Migrante-Alberta to represent their interests as one of Canada’s biggest minorities. One of the highlights of the program is the launching of a petition calling on the Philippine government to set up a consular office in Alberta. Filipinos rank 4th in Canada’s most visible minorities according to Stats Canada’s 2011 census released in May 2013, numbering more than 619,000. They also ranked 4th in Alberta, numbering over 106,000. Filipinos populate the three main cities in the province, with Calgary having the most concentration. Despite their huge number in the province, the Philippine government remains deaf to appeals to have a consular office based in Alberta. The Philippine government is represented by its two honorary consuls in Edmonton and Calgary, the officials provide only limited services to Filipinos in the province. Migrante Alberta cites among the basic services needed by Filipinos is passport renewal which is not provided by the honorary consuls. At present, Filipinos have to apply in person at the consular office in Vancouver or wait for one of the passport outreach programs in the province. A travel to Vancouver could mean a loss in earnings for temporary foreign workers, or money lost to travel expenses such as airfare or hotel accommodations. And while the Philippine consulate in Vancouver conducts passport outreach programs yearly in Alberta, the visits fill up quickly because of the many number of applicants wanting to renew. Migrante Alberta is a member organization of Migrante Canada, along with organizations in B.C., Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and the Maritimes. The group’s presence in key areas in the province has been felt since the death of a Filipina TFW (Temporary Foreign Worker) in 2010 in Edmonton whose remains were sent home without the help of the Philippine government. # Media Liaison: Jhong dela Cruz cell no. (403) 392-8286
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:10:49 +0000
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