Ontario 2022 Elections: Fil-Can MPP bets share their thoughts

Ontario 2022 Elections: Fil-Can MPP bets share their thoughts

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos

LJI Reporter

The Philippine Reporter

Leading up to the recent provincial elections that wrapped up on June 2, 2022, we observed how three Filipino-Canadian MPP candidates quickly mobilized their teams in the hopes of gaining representation for Filipino Canadians at Queen’s Park to push for change on the pressing issues that concern the community.

Veronica Javier, the NDP candidate for Scarborough-Guildwood, is a community leader, educator, and social worker with the Scarborough Health Network. Paul Saguil, the Liberal candidate for Willowdale, is an award-winning lawyer working for TD Bank Group to fight financial crime. Christine Santos, the NDP candidate for Ajax, is a reporter, children’s TV show producer and social entrepreneur.

Although none won in this election, all had fought a tough fight and made their supporters proud. We previously interviewed them on their thoughts on credential recognition and the recent Philippine elections in our last issue. Here, they share their reflections on their experience in last week’s provincial  election and their gratitude for the support they received from the community as they remain optimistic for future opportunities to serve.

Christine Santos (in yellow) and her team

THE PHILIPPINE REPORTER: What are your thoughts on the recent election? What are your hopes for the future and message for those who voted for you?

CHRISTINE SANTOS:  It was a wonderful experience for me! Although I didn’t win in this election, I’m so proud of the amazing campaign we ran, and I’m very grateful to all our volunteers, staff, donors, and of course, my family who supported me and joined me in my journey. I want to thank the people of Ajax for all the support!  This is just the beginning, not the end.  I will continue to serve in any capacity. I hope that more Filipino-Canadians will put their name forward in the next provincial election and we can finally have representation at Queen’s Park.

Veronica Javier and her team

VERONICA JAVIER: It was a hard-fought campaign. We all knew this was an uphill battle but we were always in the mindset to win. The outcome did not go in our favour but I have no regrets. We all gave it everything we had. I am so proud and grateful for our team—the donors that fueled our campaign, the volunteers that helped us connect to the community, the staff who stood by my side through thick and thin, my family and my husband and their unwavering support.

This was always for the community—for Scarborough-Guildwood. Unfortunately, the whole community did not come out to vote. This was disheartening but it also tells me we need to do more work with the community

around why they should care and why they need to vote for change. I do believe the Filipino community came out for me. I felt their love and support so wholeheartedly in this journey. I’m so grateful to the Filipino-Canadians in Scarborough-Guildwood community! Thank you kababayans for showing up and donating, volunteering and voting for me! You continue to be my inspiration and motivation in my community work!

I’m keeping my campaign signs but we’ll see how the next couple of years unfold. I do know that we need to forge ahead and continue to work with the community in Scarborough and the Filipino-Canadian community around the issues that are important to them, and how vital it is to participate in civic engagement so that they can affect change in their daily lives and the lives of their community. I’m planning on keeping in touch with the Team Scarborough candidates to discuss how we can mobilize Scarborough in the years to come. I also plan on continuing my work with the Filipino-Canadian community especially through the Filipino/a/x-Canadian Social and Community Workers Network. The work continues! I will continue as a social worker at Scarborough Health Network advocating for patients and their families. 

Paul Saguil (on the right in a plaid shirt) and his team

PAUL  SAGUIL: (Quoted from his email newsletter) I want to take the opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude for your generosity and support throughout this process. Even though we didn›t get the ultimate prize this time, the accomplishments of this campaign still make us quite proud. We were very competitive in poll divisions in which many counted us out from the start, we significantly increased our share of the progressive vote, and we finished with a solid 37% overall base of support after every ballot was counted — all while being a first-time candidate with barely three months between the nomination and the official election period starting!

This was only possible because of you – every door knock, phone call, donation, ride, sign display, and word of advice and encouragement truly made a world of difference! I feel so blessed that you were in my corner and I hope what we built here together can continue into the future. There will be time later to discuss and strategize about how to rebuild and keep fighting the good fight – for what it’s worth now, please try to enjoy well-earned rest and soak in the sun as we collectively recharge ourselves. Happy Pride and Filipino Heritage Month – we’ll be in touch soon about getting together this summer to celebrate. 🙂