Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, has released the following statement in celebration of Filipino Heritage Month:

“June is Filipino Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the remarkable contributions that Canadians of Filipino descent have made to the social, economic and cultural fabric of B.C.

“With a history dating back to the 1880s when a small community settled on Bowen Island, today over 170,000 Filipinos call B.C. home, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.

“As the daughter of Filipino immigrants and the first Filipino elected to the B.C. legislature, I am excited that we have started public engagement for a provincial cultural centre dedicated to honouring the Filipino community in B.C. This centre will serve as a lasting legacy, recognizing the deep roots Filipinos have established in our province over the past 140 years.

“Filipino people play essential roles in various professions, including health, service, technology, business and manufacturing, shaping our province’s diverse landscape. Despite the challenges posed by increasing racism, our government stands firmly with the Filipino community and all those facing discrimination. In May, we passed the historic Anti-Racism Act, which addresses racism through race-based data collection and removing barriers to essential supports for Indigenous and racialized people.

“We also recently launched the Racist Incident Helpline, in partnership with BC United Way 211, to help those who witness or experience racism. Callers receive trauma-informed, culturally safe support and referrals to local services to help them deal with the impact of racist acts.

“There is more work to be done, but as we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month, I encourage everyone to not only learn about the culture and traditions of the Filipino community, but also embrace the warmth of kapwa (shared humanity) and honour all the ways this community helps make B.C. a vibrant place for everyone.”