Canada envoy still offers more opportunities for Filipinos to migrate and better trade and investment relations with the Philippines.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley said Canada was in need of caregivers, nurses, lawyers, trade people and teachers.
With Canada being a country that relies much on migration to sustain their population and provide steady manpower for various industries, Thornley said during an interview at Radisson Blu Hotel Tuesday that there is an increasing demand for Filipino skilled workers in Canada.
Thornley said the Philippines has overtaken India and China as the largest ethnic group migrating to Canada.
“To date, there are about 500,000 Filipinos now in Canada, which is the largest among the ethnic groups there now,” he said.
He said last year majority of the 250,000 slots for immigrants were given to Filipinos.
“We issued more resident visas to Filipinos last year than all the other nationalities,” he said.
“Filipinos are very well educated who can contribute to many of our manpower requirements. Aside from that, you also speak English well, which makes communication better,” he said.
Thornley said Canadian investors were looking into opportunities in mining, agriculture, food, technology, outsourcing and insurance and financial services.
“Most of the investors are very keen on the mining industry here and I think we can work together on this,” he said.
Thornley, however, said that there could have been more investment interests in the country had the policy for foreign investors been made to be more encouraging for them.
“The policies are a challenge but I think the current administration is doing something about it. There could be more (investors) if the policies aren’t that difficult for foreign investors,” he said.
He said that the government of Canada had gained renewed confidence in the Philippines especially with the current administration’s thrust to eradicate corruption.
“Corruption inhibits investments and trading. The present government’s anti-corruption stand has actually renewed our confidence for the country.”
Other industries that Thornley said that we can partner with Canada includes tourism specifically in leisure and medical tourism.
“Again the Filipinos speak English well and Canadians feel more comfortable traveling to places where people understand and can communicate with them,” he said.
Thornley cited the need to establish more flights to Canada.
“One thing we love about the Philippines is the warm weather. Canadians love to escape the cold winters,” Thornley said.