23 September 2021, Calgary – During the courtesy call of Consul General Zaldy Patron on Mayor Don Scott of the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo, Alberta, on 20 September 2021, Mayor Scott said that the Filipinos in Fort McMurray were thriving. 

Consul General Patron was in Fort McMurray, an urban service area in RM of Wood Buffalo, to lead a seven-man team of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary that conducted a three-day consular outreach from 21 to 23 September 2021. He informed Mayor Scott about the consular services that the PCG would offer to the Filipinos in Fort McMurray during the outreach.  

In 2016, there were an estimated 4,990 Filipinos (7.5%) out of Fort McMurray’s total population of 66,573. 

According to Mayor Scott, most Filipinos in Fort McMurray work in the services, fast food, hotel, and energy industries of the region and many of them have been doing well in their work. He expressed appreciation for the Filipinos’ contribution to the local economy and the cultural diversity of the RM of Wood Buffalo.

Fort McMurray’s economy is driven by oil sands, natural gas and pipeline transport, forestry and tourism industries. The area is recognized as one of the centers of petroleum production in the Province of Alberta.

Consul General Patron shared with Mayor Scott the PCG’s initiatives to promote education and energy cooperation between the Philippines and the Province of Alberta. He also informed him about the PCG’s project to install a Rizal Monument in Airdrie, Alberta.

Likewise, Consul General Patron sought Mayor Scott’s support for the PCG’s advocacy for an easier recognition of credentials for Filipino nurses in Alberta.

Councillor Jeff Peddle joined Mayor Scott during the meeting with Consul General Patron.