Fil-Can Senator on immigration, mining and Harper’s visit to Manila

Fil-Can Senator on immigration, mining and Harper’s visit to Manila

By Dyan Ruiz

The Philippine Reporter interviewed Senator Tobias “Jun” Enverga on a range of issues important to Filipino-Canadians, what he’s doing about immigration issues, mining in the Philippines and Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit with President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in Manila on Nov. 10, 2012.

Enverga became the first Filipino-Canadian appointed to be a federal Senator in September 2012. The appointed members of the Canadian Senate serve as a “sober second thought” to the proposed laws or bills passed by the elected members of the House of Commons. The phone interview was conducted on Dec. 5, 2012.

Q. What are your priorities for your work in the Senate?

A. Right now my priorities are within my committees, which is mainly the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee. This is one of the most important functions that I have in the Senate. All kinds of legislation come from the Lower House and we want to validate everything in the Senate, and it’s through the Committees most of the time.

Q. What is this Committee in charge of?

A. The Committee on its own handles anything to do with social (affairs) and technology. Right now our main focus is within the medical field. We’re doing a bill about the Food and Drugs Act, those kinds of stuff and about medical devices and testing.
Q. Do you have any long- term plans for other policy areas, such as immigration?

A. Well, immigration, we haven’t touched that yet. It’s just how the bill comes to our hands. So in regards to immigration, none has passed through us yet. I’m looking forward to having those kinds of issues discussed in our committees and sessions.

Q. Naturally, immigration is a very important issue for Filipino-Canadians. Our readers are interested in knowing your views on some recent immigration changes. For instance, what’s your view on the moratorium on having parents and grandparents sponsored for immigration to Canada?

A. It’s actually a faster way for them to come here and I think that’s what people want. It’s good for anyone who wants their parents to make the visit to Canada. So it’s a good thing.

Q. Because of the SuperVisa?

A. Yes.

Q. What’s your view on the temporary foreign worker program and the limit to the number of years a worker can work in Canada?

A. I haven’t really run into it specifically, so I don’t want to comment on it. I think the immigration [ministry] is still working on issues in regards to that.

As far as I know, (Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism) Jason (Kenney) and the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) is working really hard to ensure that everything is fast tracked or to help the immigration process. The fact that the Philippines is the number one source of immigrants to the country speaks for itself.

Q. Have you met with Minister Kenney about immigration?

A. Yeah, we met him a couple of times on this, but then, all that he has to mention to me is great things about the Filipino community and how well they adapt to Canada’s environment.

Q. What were some of the issues that you talked about with Minister Kenney?

A. Nothing special about the issues. When we met, we were planning to have monthly meetings to discuss the issues and we’re laying the groundwork on how to make communications better for me, and information, and dedication to office. So that’s what we discussed. First lay the groundwork on how we can facilitate a better exchange of information. Although they have a lot of information about Filipinos, they’re seeking advice and interaction with the Filipino community.

Q. Another issue our readers are interested in is the recent visit of Prime Minister Harper with President Aquino in Manila.

A. Yeah! It’s the first time in 15 years! That visit is very critical in further strengthening the ties between Canada and the Philippines. It’s a nice thing to be there with him.

Q. You were there for the meeting?

A. Yes, I was there when we were talking bilaterally.

Q. What issues were discussed during that meeting?

A. It’s more of a fact-finding mission of what else we can do together. I think that’s the whole purpose of the trip. What else we can do to increase the trade between Canada and the Philippines, and some sort of bilateral commission, or something to that effect, of what we can do for each other.

Q. An issue people are concerned about is Canadian mining companies’ involvement in the Philippines. Was that discussed at the talks?

A. No, it was not actually discussed during that part. But it was hoping that there’s always a possibility to mine with ethical mining—to follow the rules that will help the environment at the same time. But it was not really discussed; it was not part of the agenda during Harper and Noynoy’s talks.

Q. Some people argue that Canada’s expanded trade in the Philippines is condoning human rights violations because of the Philippines using state security forces to support mining companies, for instance. That’s an issue that’s been raised by the UN and international human rights groups. What’s your opinion about this view?

A. It wasn’t discussed. But as far as I know, what Canada is trying to put in is that Canada has an expertise in information, communications and technology. And [the Philippines] can take advantage of what Canada has to offer with regards to this industry. But I can’t really comment on much more after that because it wasn’t discussed during our meetings.

Q. Is your office or another part of the Canadian government doing anything to respond to the recent typhoon in the Philippines?

A. Yes, they did. Jason Kenney sent an offer of condolences to the typhoon victims and a communiqué was sent that if any Canadians are in need of assistance, they should call the Foreign Affairs in Canada right away. And in regards to aid, I think it’s still being discussed.

Q. Is there any thing else you’d like to add about your work in the Senate?

A. Yes, it’s a challenging job. It’s more like I work 8 [am] to 8 [pm] or 15 hours a day when I’m here in Ottawa.
It’s really a big recognition for everybody– for all Filipino-Canadians. But at the same time, I would like to ask Filipino-Canadians to get engaged more with the system and to let me know if there’s any issues that I can address too.

I’ve been getting a lot of notes from our kababayan– congratulatory notes. I’ve gotten thousands of them, and of course, saying that they need some help. I’m trying to do the best that’s in my capacity. So I would say to everybody to continue to send me communication and my office will directly reply to them.

Q. What’s the best way to reach you?

A. The best way is through email [envert@sen.parl.gc.ca]. That way it’s easier to track at the same time.

Q. Will you be attending events in the next weeks in the GTA?

A. Yes, I’ve been speaking at different events in Toronto and all over Canada. Almost every week there are about four events I go to– especially in Toronto where they’re accessible by car and I don’t have to take the plane. So there’s a lot of interest for me to speak with them.

I’m so grateful for all the support the community has given me. I want to say thank you to everybody. If I may, I want to great everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!