Information session at The Peninsula in Makati was attended by IENs and other representatives of the health and labour sectors

Manitoba’s delegation to the Philippines, headed by Minister of Labour and Immigration Jon Reyes, tasked to recruit Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and other healthcare professionals, continues to create strong interest among the IENs and other associated groups in the country.

The delegation, which arrived in Manila on February 18, has already met with Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople and other government officials in the health and labour sectors.

	Jon Reyes, Minister of Labour and Immigration
	Monika Warren, Chief Nursing Officer, Shared Health Manitoba
	Ken Borce, Chief of Operations, CancerCare Manitoba, speaks to IENs at The Peninsula. Photos by Jimmy Domingo

In the first week, Reyes was joined by Monika Warren, of Shared Health (Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Change Services) and Ken Borce, an IEN, currently Chief of Operations at CancerCare Manitoba, to discuss the recruitment program in a session attended by IENs in The Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

The following is a report dated February 23 from PNA’s Marita Moaje about MB Minister Reyes’ meeting with DMW Sec. Ople.

Canada to hire more

Filipino healthcare workers

MANILA – Manitoba Minister of Labour and Immigration Jon Reyes has expressed interest in hiring more skilled Filipino health professionals under a new program that would financially support Filipino nurses.

Said program would include the provision of airfare, accommodation, and training, among others.

In a courtesy call to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople on Wednesday, the two officials agreed on furthering labour cooperation between the Philippines and the Canadian province, especially in the recruitment of Filipino nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The proposed scholarship fund for Filipino nursing students who wish to work in Canada was also discussed during the meeting.

The Philippine Embassy in Canada said that as of April 2018, there are around 901,218 Filipinos working and staying in Canada, which comprises almost 2.6 per cent of its national population.

The embassy added that the Philippines continues to be the top source of immigrants to Canada, followed by India, China, and Iran.

Canadian provinces with the greatest number of Filipinos include Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba while Toronto remained the Canadian metropolitan area with the greatest number of Filipinos, followed by Vancouver and Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, Ople conveyed her appreciation to the Canadian government for their hospitality and firm commitment to upholding the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers, and for recognizing the professionalism of Filipino nurses.

“It’s very natural to our Filipino nurses, to our healthcare professionals to see every patient as a member of the family or a friend. Being warm, hospitable, caring, and hopeful are some of the qualities of our Filipino nurses that makes us proud,” Ople said. (PNA)