Calgary, 8 November 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary and the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary of Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) conducted a mapping mission survey on 25 to 28 October 2022 in Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

In the three cities they visited, the DFA-PCG mapping team members conducted focus group discussions with non-profit organizations assisting new migrants and settlers in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The organizations they engaged with included the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Catholic Social Service of Edmonton, Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative of Edmonton**,** Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies, and Saskatoon Open Door Society.

Likewise, the team conducted one-on-one interviews with some members of the Filipino community.

The mapping mission had the following objectives:

1. Ascertain the demographic profile of the Overseas Filipino community (e.g., age, status, gender, skills, professions, etc.);

2. Determine the types of problems that Overseas Filipinos encounter (e.g., criminal, civil, immigration, etc.);

3. Come up with possible actions and recommendations that Overseas Filipinos can suggest on how their problems can be addressed; and

4. Identify laws, policies or proposed legislation that may affect Overseas Filipinos and their families.

Mapping Mission meetings and one-on-one interviews in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon (Calgary PCG)

OMWA Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes (4th from left) with Deputy Consul General Victorio Dimagiba, Jr. (4th from right), Philippine Honorary Consul to Regina Pepito Escanlar (3rd from left) and members of the Mapping Mission team.