FOUR FILIPINO-CANADIANS SEEK MUNICIPAL ELECTIVE POSTS

 

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
October 2, 2021
 


The autumnal chime and colors are upon us. Within the Canadian landscape, the political climate especially in the city environs is breezing soon. Four Filipino Canadians in 3 Canadian cities are in the election "warpath". These beautiful, bold, and brave Filipinos composed of three Filipinas and one Pinoy are running for civic elective seats.

On October 18, 2021, Grace Yan is seeking the mayoralty post in Calgary Alberta. Also in Alberta, Pinoy Jyn San Miguel would like to become a Councilor in Canmore, AB. In the City of Montreal, 2 Pinays, namely France Stoner and Stephanie Evangelista are running for Councilor in the Snowdon district and the Darlington district in both the  Borough of Cote des Neiges - Notre Dame de Grace, respectively on November 7, 2021.

 

GRACE YAN , a Fil-Can Calgarian, is running for Mayor " for a fresh New Calgary". Grace believes "that public service is a responsibility that we all share and we should all be willing to contribute our time and best effort toward the well-being of the community in which we live, work, and play". She was born in Manila, the Philippines and her family emigrated when she was young. She has lived in Calgary for over 40 years and has worked in the business sector for 20-plus years. She is aware of the needs of the community, the resources available, and the public concerns that face our city.  Having sat on various boards, she achieved one of the Distinctive Women of Canada, Women of Inspiration – Inspire Award, and Mount Royal Alumni Achievement Award Nominee. "My commitment is to serve the citizens of our great city and contribute to its growth and prosperity", G. Yan pledged.



JYN SAN MIGUEL is a Fil-Can candidate for the municipal council in the town of Canmore, which has a population of 13,992 according to the 2016 federal census with nearly 400 Filipinos. Canmore is located within the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta and is the 9th-largest town in Alberta. It is about an hour’s drive from Calgary and 300 km. from Edmonton. The 32-year old J. San Miguel came to Canada with his family 12 years ago. Jyn, a former resident of B.C., started his working life as a housekeeper and works seasonally as a settlement worker and a contractual artist. He professed to be a traveler, blogger, personal trainer, singer, and artist who shares his talents to the community through arts and music. A firm believer in the power of kindness and the Filipino values of “Bayanihan”, he wants a "community where we take care of our environment, so our children have an exciting future to look forward to." A member of the LGBTQ community  San Miguel states that. “it is time that our indigenous community, immigrants, persons of color, and LGBTQ+ members feel as valuable as everyone else."



FRANCE STOHNER is running for City Councilor in Montreal under the Courage--- Équipe Sue Montgomery Party in the Snowdon electoral district of the Borough of Cote-des-Neiges-- Notre Dame-de-Grace. Stohner is running in whose district has a huge Filipino Canadian community. If elected, she would be the first visible minority to sit on the council of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough. She would also be the first Filipina to hold a public office in Quebec. Born in the Philippines, Stohner is a mother to a 17-month-old son.  France now works as a mental health counselor and continues to champion equality and justice as a long-time community organizer, and new mother. She is currently a political candidate in the next municipal election for the district of Snowdon in the Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. A neighborhood with one the strongest Filipino populations in Montreal. She strives to nurture a culture of politics that is more attentive, accessible, and exemplary of the multifaceted communities she serves.



STEPHANIE EVANGELISTA , a Filipino-Canadian Montrealer, is the City Councilor candidate for the  Darlington district in the  Cote des Neiges - Notre Dame de Grace Borough under the Ensemble Montreal. A McGill University political science graduate, she is the current Director of Communications of the Filipino Heritage Month Society and has worked with organizations in the Black, Jewish, Tamil, and Bangladeshi communities. Stephanie speaks four languages and brings a wealth of experience in issues on housing and intercultural relations. Many believe that Stephanie Evangelista would be one of the 2 women of Filipino heritage to be elected to the Montreal City Council. The Filipino population comprises some 36,000 persons in the Borough or over 20% of the entire population.

When elected, City Councilor candidates Stephanie Evangelista for Darlington District under the Ensemble Montreal Party and France Stohner for Snowdon District with Courage--- Équipe Sue Montgomery Party will both articulate voices for their respective communities and for all the diverse communities in Montreal. Likewise, the two Fil-Can candidates in Alberta hope to win and to represent the interest and issues of their respective constituents for a productive service and better life. ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired)