The Malaya Movement in Canada congratulates Rechie Valdez for winning the riding of Mississauga-Streetsville in Ottawa in the recent 2021 Canadian Federal Elections. She is the first Filipina and the second person of Philippine descent to be elected into the federal parliament.

For our part, as an organization of Filipinos across Canada with deep roots in the Filipino community, we ourselves look toward a long fruitful working relationship with MP Valdez. We welcome MP Valdez’s aspirations to be a genuine representative. We will be here, available, to hold ongoing conversations with MP Valdez on the issues that most affect the Filipino community.

The Malaya Movement in Canada congratulates Maria Ressa as co-recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. In its announcement, the Nobel Committee cited Ms. Ressa’s

“efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. Ms Ressa …[is] receiving the Peace Prize for [her] … courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines….”

Ms. Ressa herself, and Rappler.com, the news site she has founded face persecution from the Duterte regime.

In the days approaching the September 20, 2021 Canadian Federal elections, every Canadian should ponder the questions that those who wish to govern the country must address. We are in unprecedented times with the year and a half long pandemic that has hurt the global and Canadian economy and put unexpected stresses upon all our lives.

Canada sees itself as an open multicultural mosaic with progressive values of diversity, tolerance, and fairness. The Government of Canada has gone so far as to admit that “Canadians care about human rights. They expect their government to help build respect for human rights at home and around the world.”

Yet for all that, the practice of the Government of Canada of building respect for human rights at home and around the world leaves much room for improvement.