MPP Begum introduces Filipino Heritage Month bill at Queen’s Park
MPP Begum introduces Filipino Heritage Month bill at Queen’s Park
By Mila Astorga-Garcia
The Philippine Reporter
TORONTO — Doly Begum, NDP MPP for Scarborough Southwest, introduced a private member’s bill in the legislature on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, which would officially recognize June as Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario, if passed in the provincial legislature.
In a statement released to the media, Begum stated that it was her honour to introduce the Act to proclaim June as Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario.
“Filipino Heritage Month is an opportunity for all Ontarians to reflect, celebrate, and appreciate the history and pivotal contributions that Filipino-Canadians have made, and continue to make across the province. It’s time for the government of Ontario to give back to Filipino Canadians by recognizing their hard work and many contributions to our society, which have helped build the economic, social, political and cultural fabric of this province,” she said.
“Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario will provide all Ontarians with an opportunity to reflect on the roles and contributions of Filipino Ontarians in communities across the province, including the work of those Filipino Ontarians who are essential workers in keeping Ontarians safe and healthy and keeping the province moving during the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Begum.
She called on the provincial government to do its part in formally recognizing June of each year as Filipino Heritage Month, by passing the Filipino Heritage Month Act, 2020, without delay.
The Toronto municipal government and the Canadian federal government have already officially recognized June as Filipino Heritage Month in the recent past years, recognizing that June 12 is when Filipinos celebrate their country’s independence.
In the online press conference that followed the bill’s introduction, Begum further discussed the significance of Filipino Heritage Month, with the participation of some community leaders and members: Steve Pagao, President. Philippine Chamber of Commerce (Toronto); Paulina Corpuz, Co-Founder and President of the Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture (PATAC), Past President, Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education; and Daniela Salcedo, President, Filipino-Canadian Student Associations.
The following are significant quotes from the community members who all thanked Begum for introducing the bill and each expressed what Filipino Heritage Month meant for them:
Pagao: “On behalf of the Filipino-Canadian Community and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce (Toronto), I would like to express our profound gratitude for MPP Doly Begum’s support in presenting this Bill to recognize June as Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario. It will indeed be our community’s pride to be granted with such privilege to exercise our identity, idealism and beliefs while enjoying the richness of Canadian diversity. This province-wide recognition of our Philippine Heritage will allow this generation and the future generations of Filipino-Canadians to nurture and preserve our cultural heritage. In this regard, we thank you very much for leading the passing of the Bill at the Ontario Legislature, and for supporting the Filipino-Canadian Community.”
Corpuz: “I strongly support the motion to declare June as Filipino Heritage Month. Heritage month celebrations are important in providing the space to teach and learn about cultural history of the Filipino Canadian community and how the community is viewed in the Canadian narrative. It is time to provincially and publicly acknowledge and affirm the value and the many contributions of the Filipino Canadian community, which have made Ontario a better place to live. It is time to recognize the important value of the community in Ontario’s mosaic.”
Javier: “Filipino/a/x Canadians continuously offer and provide meaningful and lasting contributions to Canadian society, including providing essential health care, care work, social services, and education to Ontario residents of all ages… The Filipino Heritage Month bill will serve to amplify and exemplify the vital work of everyday and extraordinary Filipino-Canadians alike…it will provide a space to highlight the mobilization efforts of our community, such as the reunification of families, fair and safe labour practices of our workers, equitable representation of our teachers and our curriculum in our schools, and bringing a spotlight on human rights issues in the Philippines.”
Salcedo: “This Bill will widely recognize the continued contribution of the Filipino community to Canada’s growth and prosperity. Filipino Heritage Month in Ontario will not only be a celebration of culture, but also a lifelong commitment to success.”
Comments (0)