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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL - CALGARY
Suite 100, 1001 1st St SE Calgary, AB, T2G 5G3

Philippine Consulate General Calgary Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada Diplomatic Relations Through a Lighting Ceremony in Partnership with TELUS

Home Press Release
03 December 2024 – The Consulate General of the Philippines in Calgary, in partnership with
TELUS, proudly marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines
and Canada with the lighting of the digital screen of the Telus C-train Centre Street platform in
downtown Calgary on 1 December 2024.
A short program and countdown prior to the lighting at 5:00 pm (mountain time) was attended by
dignitaries from the province of Alberta, representatives of the City of Calgary, and leaders of
the various Filipino organizations in the city. Minister of Advanced Education of Alberta Ms.
Rajan Sawhney, Calgary City Councillor of Ward 7 Mr. Terry Wong, and Ms. Sangeeta Lalli,
Public Policy Director of TELUS all delivered congratulatory messages during the event.
In her remarks, Consul General Emma R. Sarne stated that while the enduring PH-Canada
relationship can be measured by robust trade statistics and numerous high-level engagements
between the officials of the two countries, it is the immeasurable people-to-people ties that truly
define its essence. “These dynamic exchanges which have enriched both Philippine and
Canadian societies make this 75th anniversary commemoration not just a celebration of shared
history, but also of the enduring friendship and contributions of the Filipino and Canadian
peoples”, Consul General Sarne said.
Minister Sawhney mentioned that Canada and the Philippines have a long-standing partnership
that is built on mutual respect, shared values and common aspirations. She highlighted the
ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to the Philippines which includes several
businesses and economic agencies from the province of Alberta. “In 2023, Alberta exported
almost US$200 million worth of goods to the Philippines and imported US$100 million worth of
goods”, Minister Sawhney stated. “The trade between Alberta and the Philippines not only
generates important economic activity, but also facilitates that exchange of important and
enriching ideas”, she added. The Minister also stated that the over 200,000 Filipinos who call
Alberta their home including various Filipino community groups that have made significant
contributions to the province show that people-to-people connections between the two countries
are central to the enduring PH-Canada relationship.

Consul General Emma Sarne delivered her message during the Lighting Ceremony, 1 December 2024 (Calgary

PCG)



Minister of Advance Education of Alberta Rajan Sawhney (left) and Councillor Terry Wong (right) delivered their

messages during the Lighting Ceremony, 1 December 2024 (Calgary PCG)




The Lighting Ceremony was held jointly by the four (4) Philippine Posts in Canada and with the

active support and participation of the various Filipino Communities across the ten (10)

Canadian provinces and three (3) territories. The lighting of prominent landmarks all across

Canada, a project spearheaded by the PH Ambassador to Canada HE Maria Andrelita Austria,

was aimed at increasing the visibility of Filipinos and their contributions to Canadian society. The

digital screen on the C-train platform along Centre street in downtown Calgary, showcasing a

creative with the PH-Canada 75th anniversary theme and logo along with a design from Telus

featuring the colours of the PH and Canadian flags, was switched on at 5:00 pm (mountain time)

and remained lit exclusively until midnight of 2 December 2024. The creative was shown on the

digital screen on a rotation basis until 7 December 2024 and was seen by thousands of

Calgarians who flock the busy Centre street platform for their daily commute.



Consul General Emma Sarne with the members of the Filipino community in Alberta during the Lighting Ceremony, 1

December 2024 (Calgary PCG)




L-R : VC Vida Soraya Verzosa, Councillor Terry Wong, Consul General Emma Sarne, Ms. Sangeeta Lalli, and DCG

Victorio Dimagiba Jr. during the Lighting Ceremony, 1 December 2024 (Calgary PCG)




The 75th anniversary, with the theme, "Building Bridges, Celebrating Connections",

encapsulates the dynamic and forward-looking diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Philippines and Canada are again embarking on new pathways for collaboration such as in

defense, agriculture and food security, energy, development cooperation, cybersecurity, among

others. At the same time, the two countries continue to celebrate milestones and enjoy robust

people to people relations.