Filipino BC is pleased to announce that it has received a supportive letter from the offices of Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, alongside acknowledgements from Rechie Valdez, Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Streetsville, and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
This significant correspondence comes in response to Filipino BC’s request for federal backing of the Filipino Community & Cultural Centre.
The letter, dated March 24, 2024, underscores the Liberal Party of Canada’s commitment, highlighted in Budget 2024, to be a funding partner in the establishment of a dedicated space for the Filipino community in Vancouver. This Centre is envisioned as a vibrant venue for cultural celebration and heritage honouring.
MP Taleeb Noormohamed affirmed the party’s dedication to seeing this project through from securing a location to the successful completion of the Centre. He also expressed a commitment to addressing the key issues presented in the “Weaving Our Voices, Our Story, Our Community: What We Heard Report,” a document reflecting extensive consultations with the Filipino Canadian community about their needs and aspirations.
“The endorsement from the Liberal Party represents a significant commitment to both the Filipino community in British Columbia and our ongoing project. It acknowledges the substantial contributions of Filipino Canadians and our collaborative efforts to address issues that have historically been neglected by various levels of government,” stated RJ Aquino, Board Chair of Filipino BC.
“We are greatly encouraged by this recognition and are enthusiastic about the positive effects that the Centre will have on our community and on Canadian society at large,” Aquino said.
Filipino BC looks forward to further collaboration with the government and MPs Noormohamed and Valdez, along with Prime Minister Carney, to turn the vision of the Filipino Community & Cultural Centre into a reality.
As the federal election campaign intensifies, Filipino BC has taken a decisive step by sending letters to the leaders of Canada’s three major political parties—Liberal, Conservative, and NDP—seeking their commitment to support the establishment of a Filipino Community & Cultural Centre.
These requests are part of the organization’s strategy to leverage the electoral season to address long-standing needs within the Filipino Canadian community.
Filipino BC is calling on each party leader to:
- Formally recognize and endorse the findings of the Weaving Our Voices, Our Story, of Our Community: What We Heard Report.
- Commit federal funding to support the creation of the Filipino Community & Cultural Centre if their party forms the next government.
- Establish meaningful partnerships with Filipino Canadian organizations to ensure the successful development of this initiative.
The What We Heard Report, released in February 2025, reflects extensive community engagement and highlights the urgent need for a dedicated space to advance cultural, educational, and economic activities for Filipino Canadians—one of British Columbia’s largest and fastest-growing communities.
“These letters are not just requests for funding; they are a call for leadership to recognize the vital role the Filipino community plays in Canada’s diverse mosaic,” Aquino said.
Aquino added, “The commitment of our federal leaders during this election will speak volumes about their dedication to multiculturalism and community support.”
Filipino BC stresses that the establishment of the centre would serve as a cultural landmark, a hub for social and educational activities, and an economic driver that would benefit not just Filipino Canadians but the nation as a whole. The organization encourages each party leader to consider the potential impact of their support, both for the community and their electoral prospects, highlighting how cultural inclusivity can resonate with voters across the country.
