Filipino-Canadian appointed to Canada’s Senate – DFA

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper waves as he arrives for the Leaders Meeting at the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. AP/Ivan Sekretarev

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Canadian Tobias Enverga has been appointed to the Senate of Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in an announcement Saturday.

In a statement, the DFA said that Enverga was one of five Canadians appointed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Friday.

Enverga filled one of two vacant seats for Ontario while the three others would represent Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

The five new senators will be joining the 105-seat Senate of Canada where they are expected to serve until the age of 75.

“I look forward to working with these talented individuals,” Harper said in the statement.

“Their skills and experience will help to further advance our shared goals of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians,” he added.

The DFA noted that prior to his appointment, Enverga served as project manager at the Bank of Montreal, where he worked for more than 30 years.

It said that he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Letran College in the Philippines, a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and a Computer Studies Certificate from Centennial College.

He was also involved in various organizations, most notably as the first Filipino-Canadian elected in the City of Toronto, as Trustee to the Toronto Catholic District School Board, as Co-Chair off the Asian Heritage Month Celebration for the Greater Toronto Area and founder of the Philippine Canadian Charitable.

“In 2012, Enverga was the recipient of the Queen’s 60th Diamond Jubilee medal of distinction,” the DFA said.

“For his exceptional contribution to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines, Mr. Enverga was conferred the Linkapil Award by the Office of the President in 2008,” it added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie Gatan welcomed Enverga’s appointment, saying that she hoped that this would inspire other Filipino-Canadians to achieve their own high aspirations in Canada.