A dozen Canadian Filipino youths from across the country are learning the ropes of how Parliament works.
They are participating in the first Canadian-Philippine Interparliamentary Program, one of the initiatives marking the maiden and nationwide celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in Canada in June 2019.
The five-week program ends on June 14, 2019, allowing the Canadian Filipino interns an intimate look into processes of the House of Commons, and Senate.
They are Lea Aballa, who is serving as intern with MaryAnn Mihychuck, MP for Kildona-Saint Paul in Manitoba; Karla Ellanhelle Atancio, with Senator Marilou McPhedran of Manitoba; Klaus Simon Bondoc, with Stephanie Kusie, MP for Calgary Midnapore in Alberta
Francis Calingo, with Francesco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge in Ontario; Jae Colado, with Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North in Manitoba; Julian-Ray Fortaleza, with Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre in British Columbia
Diane Peal Magsipoc, with Michael Levitt, MP for York Centre in Ontario; Ira Mamis, with Larry Bagnell, MP for Yukon; Isabella Modesto, with Nick Whalen, St. John’s East in Newfoundland and Labrador
Kiara Louise Palanca, with Emmanuella Lambropoulos, MP for Saint-Laurent in Quebec; Braiden Pergis, intern with Winnipeg North MP Lamoureux; and Carolyn Jessica Tanuan, with Garry Ananasandagaree, MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park in Ontario.
Winnipeg North MP Lamoureux chairs the Canada Philippines Interparliamentary Group, which initiated the internship program.
In a message, Lamoureux told the interns: “This experience will provide you with not only a greater understanding of our federal government but also equip you with invaluable skills that will help you pursue careers in the future.”
Lamoureux explained that they will be involved in the various operations of the House of Commons and Senate, including liaising with other offices, research, policy analysis, communication, and social media management.
The Winnipeg North MP thanked the Philippine Independence Committee of Ottawa Valley (PICOV) and the Filipino Students Association-University of Ottawa, MPs, Senators, and the Filipino community in Ottawa for their involvement in the program.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia congratulated the Canadian Filipino interns.
“This program is a unique opportunity to be immersed in the work of Canada’s Parliament and to have a first-hand view of the interparliamentary collaboration between Philippines and Canada,” Garcia said in a message.
PICOV chair Nora Arriola welcomed the interns to Ottawa, saying: “We hope that this experience will help and inspire our interns with their future aspirations.”
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