Tony's Take :   

Top Twenty News Stories of 2015 in Ontario

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT.
Ontario-Canada
December 5, 2015



T'is the end of the year and seasonally, it is the tradition of aptly listing down the top news which impacted in the  life and leisure of members of  the Filipino Canadian community in 2015. Here's my personal  take and summary selection, arguably, on the interesting and informative events that occurred over the year past in our milieu.Chronologically, to wit :

Canadian Immigration : On January 1, 2015, the Canadian government launched the Express Entry system which managed applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program - FSWP, the Federal Skilled Trades Program - FSTP, the Canadian Experience Class-CEC and the Provincial Nominee Program-PNP.

Live-In Caregiver Program :  In early January 2015, a new set of regulations drastically changed the decades-old Live-In Caregiver Program ( LCP). The new program: 1) ended the live- in requirement, 2) the imposition of quotas on the number of caregivers allowed to receive permanent residency, only 5,500 and 3) the division of caregivers into 2 pathways based on who they serve (those caring for  children and those for high medical needs).

Queer Filipinos : Led by Dr. Robert Diaz of OCAD University, Queer Filipinos in Canada organized a 2-day conference and conversation for the first time onJanuary 22-23, 2015 and a 3-week art exhibit that celebrated the contributions of the Filipino Canadian LGBTQ community.

Medical Mission : The Filipino-Canadian Medical Association, headed by Dr. Chelly Silva, completed a week-long medical, dental and relief mission in 14 municipalities in Leyte and Palawan in February, 2015. The mission includes five doctors, a dentist , a nurse, an accountant, two pharmacists and 21 non- medical volunteers, all FilCans from Ontario.

Catholic Parents Conference :  The Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education-FCPACE, organized and conducted the first conference of Filipino Catholic parents, students, youths and staff in Toronto on April 25th. The event discussed the issues, problems and concerns of the participants in the Catholic education system.

P'Noy State Visit : Philippine President Benigno Aquino made a state visit to Canada including a community reception "by invitation only" hosted by then PM Stephen Harper on May 8th at Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto. The visit, which sparked mixed reactions from the Filipino Canadian community, also did not generate the expected media frenzy and the traditional Filipino warm hospitality.

Child Care Benefit :  The Conservative government extended the application deadline for Universal Child Care Benefit until May 15th for 4 million families to receive the enhanced UCCB cheque of $2,000 per month per child under 6 and $ 720 for each child aged 6 through 17 in July, retroactive to January 1, 2015.

Political Capacity Building : The newly- organized Filipino Canadian Political Affairs Council -FCPAC, composed of 32 politicized community leaders in May, 2015  embarked a "Go Out To Vote" drive. The action encouraged Filipinos to participate in the Canadian political process and to get engaged in partisan activities by campaigning and supporting candidates from the 4 major political parties.

Filipino Heritage Day : The Toronto Catholic District School Board, through its Community Relations Office, hosted on May 23rd, Proudly Pinoy Day in celebration of Asian Heritage month. Secondary and elementary school students, staff , parents and youths joined in the celebration with its theme:"Proudly Filipino,Sa Puso, Diwa at Gawa". The Thorncliffe Neigbourhood Office, also held the Asian Heritage Day on May 27th at Overlea Recreation Centre, Toronto.

New Citizenship Law : The Canadian Citizenship or Act -Bill C-24 took effect onJune 11th. Citizenship applicants, aged 14 and 64  must :1) be physically present in Canada for at least 1460 days,2) meet basic knowledge & language requirements, 3) declare intent to reside in Canada once they become citizens and 4) meet personal income tax obligations.The processing fee is $ 630 i.e. $ 530 for adult plus $100 for right of citizenship fee.

June Events : The Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe hosted the Search for Miss Manila 2015 Coronation Night at Korean Cultural Centre on June 6th. The Philippine Independence Day Council's  Salusalo Picnic at Earl Bales Park, North York, Toronto,held on June 13th with Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and other political candidates in attendance and drummed  up support in their respective campaigns.Also, the Filipino Centre Toronto- FCT's Pistahan Sa Toronto , Parada Ng Lechon at Santa Cruzan on June 12 & 13, 2015 with actor Erich Gonzales as celebrity guest. On June 27th, the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation, with guest GMA star Heart Evangelista, celebrated its 5th anniversary with a Pinoy Fiesta, Trade Show and Pageant at MTTC. Kalayaan with guest ABS - CBN star Kim Chiu, held its Fiesta ng Kalayaan on June 27th at Mississauga Celebration Square.

Summer Sports : The 9th Annual Victoria Invitational Basketball Tournament was held at Centennial College on May 16- 17, 2015. The Philippine Colleges & Universities Alumni Association Summer Sportsfest was conducted on July 5th at Mississauga Valley Park with FEATI University and College of The Holy Spirit jointly winning the championship.

The PIDC Mabuhay Cup Invitational Basketball Competition was held at the HoopDome, Downsview Park on July 24-26, 2015. The North York Pinoy Athletic Association, sponsored Basketball Fundamentals Clinic and house leagues at Antibes Community Centre, North York early this year.  

Double-Whammy Day : Kapisanan's  Kultura Filipino Arts and Culture  Festival took place on August 9-13 , 2015 at several venues including a finale at the Yonge-Dundas Square,Toronto . H2O 's Halo-halo Filipino Festival which focused on multiculturalism,  was conducted on August 9th at the Artscape Wychwood Barns in Toronto.

Fundraisers - for- a Cause :  Two Filipino -oriented, and Christ-centred charitable organizations spearheaded fundraisers to progressively transform and alleviate poverty globally. ANCOP International Canada and Gawad Kalinga, led by Ricky Cuenca and Alfredo "Pidoy " Pacis, respectively. The ANCOP Walk was held on August 15th while GKCanada ,launched a tripartite agreement with CUSO International and GK Philippines on November 28th.

Heritage Festivals : The Philippine Cultural Community Centre's Taste of Manila II  Show and Street Festival was held 1.5 km. long at Bathurst Street , North York onAugust 22- 23, 2015 with more than 150,000 visitors and actor Jericho Rosario as its main attraction. PIDC showcased the Mabuhay Philippines Festival, Fashion Show and Parade of Fiestas at David Pecaut Square, Toronto on August 29-30, 2015.

Ontario "Sex" Education Curriculum: The controversial "Revised Health and Physical Education" for Grades 1 to 12 students  was introduced in public and Catholic schools in September 8th. The updated curriculum includes healthy relationships, consent, mental health, online safety and the risks of "sexting", reflective of Ontario's growing and diverse population.

Political Forum : The Philippine Press Club of Ontario sponsored a political forum on September 8th at Casa Manila, North York.Invited to the conversations were representative candidates from the Federal Conservative Party, Liberal Party and NDP party and FilCan professional, business & community leaders. A "Defamation & Libel and Mental Health Law" information session was also held by PPCO  3 months earlier.

Summit & Convention : The iKubo- sponsored "Annual Youth Leaders Summit" was held on September 26th at the YWCA Centre, Toronto. The event, through a panel expert discussion,  generated and exchanged ideas and issues on Filipino identity, heritage, diversity, community role models,parental influence and career opportunities . The Order of the Knights of Rizal -OKOR had their 5th Regional Assembly at Sheraton Parkway Hotel , Markham on October 9-11, 2015.

New Regime : Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party won a majority in the October 19th  Federal elections for the 42nd Parliament of Canada. Canadians elected 189 Liberal MPs to sit in the 338 -member House of Commons forming and leading the new government in Ottawa for the next 4 years.The Liberals captured all 52 seats in the GTA. FilCan MP candidates  Levy Abad Jr., Francisco Quimpo , Jacinto Rimbao and Julius Tiangson lost.

Student Recognition: The Filipino Centre Toronto's "11th Annual  Outstanding Students Awards" recognized, with plaques and cash awards, 12 top-performing FilCan elementary, secondary and post- secondary graduates on November 8th at the Centre's Rizal Hall,Toronto. TCDSB Associate Director Gary Poole was guest speaker.
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