21 September 2017 – Consul General Julius D. Torres met with Mr. Nathan Cooper MLA and Mr. Tany Yao MLA at the office of the United Conservative Party of Alberta in Calgary on 20 September 2017 to discuss matters pertaining to the Filipino communities under the Consulate’s jurisdiction and other matters.

Messrs. Cooper and Yao thanked Consul General Torres for the meeting said that the UCP caucus wanted to ensure the continuation of good relations between Alberta and the Philippines.

Consul General Torres replied that he was pleased to meet with the MLAs and welcomed the continuing maturation of relations between the Philippines and Canada.

In discussing Filipinos in Alberta, Mr. Yao informed Consul General Torres that in Fort McMurray where he is from, he was glad to see that Filipinos have begun to “progress professionally,” meaning more of them are in managerial or supervisory positions in their places of work.  Mr. Cooper noted that Filipinos “assimilate very well,” and easily become “full and active members of the community.”.

Consul General Torres informed the MLA’s that, aside from working hard to ensure their own prosperity in the country, he encouraged Filipino-Canadians to be more active politically in their respective communities.

Consul General Torres and Messrs. Cooper and Yao also discussed the improving trade between the Philippines and Canada.

Mr. Cooper, who is the interim leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta and is therefore Leader of the Opposition at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, is MLA for Olds-Didsburty-Three Hills.  Mr Yao, whose father is originally from Cebu in the Philippines, is MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo.