THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said it is exploring stronger engagement with Filipino communities in Canada.
This comes following a meeting between CFO Chairman Dante Ang II and Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor.
The meeting focused on opportunities to deepen diaspora engagement, strengthen ties between overseas Filipinos and the Philippines, and exchange views on the growing Filipino community in Ontario.
Officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto also participated in the discussions.
Ang thanked the Ontario government for its continued support for the Filipino community and discussed the CFO’s mandate to engage non-resident Filipinos, particularly permanent and long-term migrants who continue to maintain political, economic, and cultural ties with the Philippines.
The discussions underscored the important role of overseas Filipinos in sustaining connections with their homeland while contributing to the communities where they live.
During the meeting, McGregor noted that Ontario is home to the largest Filipino population in Canada, accounting for about one-third of the country’s nearly 1 million Filipinos.
He highlighted the Filipino community’s strong presence and integration across the province, as well as its contributions to Ontario’s social and economic life.
McGregor discussed the challenges accompanying rapid population growth, particularly the increasing pressure on infrastructure and public services in cities such as Brampton, where a significant Filipino population resides.
The CFO, an attached agency of the Office of the President, is mandated to promote the interests, welfare, and linkages of Filipinos overseas, including strengthening their ties with the Philippines and supporting their participation in national development.
