The Sixth (6th) Congress of Migrante Canada was held from August 23- 25, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. It was attended by 140 delegates, observers, and guests from many cities in the different provinces across Canada – from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, and Ontario, and from the U.S. Migrante Canada with its 13-member chapters and organizations welcomed two new members into the Alliance at the Congress.
The 6th Congress carried the theme “Reinvigorate and expand our alliance (Migrante Canada) to lead the struggle for rights and welfare of Filipino migrants and their families! Reject the pro-imperialist and fascist Marcos-Duterte regime and participate in the struggle of Filipinos for national democracy!”
The Congress started on the evening of August 23 with a meet and greet of delegates and observers, a sharing and overview of the campaigns being waged in the US by Julian Jaravata of Migrante USA and representative to the Migrante International Global Council.
On the second day, August 24, Danilo De Leon, Chairperson of Migrante Canada, welcomed everyone to the Congress, followed by Marco Luciano, Member of the Global Council of Migrante International, who delivered the opening remarks.
The keynote speaker of the Congress was Joanna Concepcion, the Chairperson of Migrante International, who visited Migrante Canada chapters in Toronto and Montreal on her way to Edmonton for the Congress.
Concepcion gave not only a comprehensive political and economic situation of the Philippines, but also that of our compatriots in different parts of the globe under the current Marcos Jr. administration. “Our duty is to tirelessly reach out, enlighten, organize and mobilize as many Filipino migrants and supporters as possible in our respective host countries to participate in and support the struggle of the Filipino people for national democracy. We must be creative in our methods of reaching out to the largest number of our compatriots in Canada,” she emphasized.
She encouraged the launching of vibrant campaigns and actions, forming coalitions and alliances or networks, conducting more creative arts and cultural activities, holding of conferences, meetings and consultations, and educational activities to deepen our analysis of the situation of our compatriots in Canada, and the root causes of the problems and collective ways to address them.
Concepcion ended with “Raise your voices for our just demands: Rights, Protection, Services, and Justice! Jobs in the Philippines, Not Abroad, Public Services are not Businesses! Advance National Democracy and Freedom in the Philippines!”
Delegates and observers joined four interactive discussion groups on Practising Solidarity, Understanding Diaspora, Waging and Winning Campaigns, and Popularizing Paaralang Migrante followed by a report back to the Congress. Three of the current campaigns highlighted at these discussions were the Tanggol Migrante in Toronto, the Justice to the Victims of the Promise Land Consultancy in Vancouver and the Bring Mary Jane Veloso Home Campaign.
This was followed by a lively discussion on amendments to the Migrante Canada Constitution and By-Laws and on the Resolutions to the Congress. Dinner was followed by the Solidarity Night where different member organizations, friends and allies, and the Families of Latin Americans rendered songs in English, Tagalog and Spanish, recited poetry, performed dances and presented short dramas.
On the third and last day of the Congress, Vice Chair Clarizze Truscott presented the Report of Migrante Canada and Campaigns and Communications Officer Erie Maestro read the Financial Statement, on behalf of the Treasurer Jane Ordinario. Danilo de Leon, Chair of Migrante Canada spoke on the lessons and challenges of the last three years leading up to the Congress.
The Congress voting delegates nominated and elected the members of the new Executive Committee for 2024-2027, Chairperson Danilo De Leon, Vice Chairperson Javier Jardeleza, Secretary General Christopher Sorio, Deputy Secretary General Dennise Velasco, Treasurer Erie Maestro, and Campaigns and Communications Officer Hannah Marie Sabit.
The Congress also recognized the new members of Migrante Canada Council for 2024-2027, composed of representatives from its 15-member organizations: Migrante British Columbia, Migrante Alberta, Kabisig Society of Fort Saskatchewan, Migrante Manitoba, Migrante Ottawa, Pilipinong Migrante Sa Canada (PMSC), Migrante Western Ontario, Migrante Scarborough, Pilipinong Migrante sa Barrie (PMB), Philippine Advancement through Arts and Culture (PATAC), Radyo Migrante, Migrante Quebec, PINAY Quebec, and Filipino Parents Association in Quebec.
The newly elected Executive Committee and the new members of the Council were sworn in by Joanna Concepcion, Chair of Migrante International.
The newly elected Executive Committee presented the General Plan of Action for 2024-2027 which was discussed and approved by the Congress. The 6th Congress of Migrante Canada closed with newly elected Chair Danilo de Leon who thanked everyone who came and helped make the Congress a success, from the Migrante Alberta host committee, volunteers and kitchen crew, the performers at the solidarity night, to the former members of the Executive Committee and Council, and to all friends and allies who supported the Congress.
Overseas chapters of Migrante International sent their messages and were read and viewed on video. Migrante Australia, UMANGAT-Migrante Roma, Migrante Europe, Migrante USA, and Migrante Netherlands sent their well-wishes for a successful Congress.
Canadian Member of Parliament Jenny Kwan and Member of Parliament Blake Dejarlais sent their well-wishes. From the labour unions, the Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE), the UNIFOR National Office, and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWWW-Edmonton); from community groups, Friends of Medicare and the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines -Canada; and from the Philippines, Raymond Palatino, Secretary General of BAYAN (Philippines), all sent their warm greetings of solidarity.
The next Congress of Migrante Canada will be held in Toronto, Ontario in 2027. ###
Reference:
Danilo de Leon, Chair, Migrante Canada
Christopher Sorio, Secretary-General, Migrante Canada
(Photo credits: Jeave and Carl. And Thanks to artist Bert Monterona for the 6th Migrante Canada Congress Mural !)
