Media Release
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance

Consultation to tackle issue of Filipino youth facing isolation in Canada

January 17, 2007

The impacts of systemic racism, discrimination, and social exclusion of Filipino youth in Canada will be a topic of discussion at an upcoming community consultation entitled “Making the Filipino Community Count in BC, ” happening on February 9-11, 2007 at the YWCA (535 Hornby Street, Vancouver).

“Filipino youth continue to face isolation in Canada,” according to Mildred German of Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / the Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA).  She says there is a serious lack of understanding of the history and the economic circumstances surrounding Filipino migration to Canada. “This is very disempowering for youth in our community, many of whom are newly arrived
immigrants of a lower economic standing.”

German says that new immigrant Filipino youth are not given any guidance or support from institutions on how to integrate into Canadian society. Academic and community research has documented the trauma youth face from years of separation from their mothers who came to work as live-in caregivers in Canada. As an impact, Filipino youth hold the second highest drop out rate in Vancouver. She adds that there have been documented cases of racism and discrimination, racial profiling and newly arrived Filipino youth falling into anti-social activities.

According to a recent study reported in the Globe and Mail, co-authors Jeffrey Reitz and Rupa Banerjee found that “based on an analysis of 2002 Statistics Canada data…the children of visible-minority immigrants exhibited a more profound sense of exclusion than their parents.”  Carlo Sayo, Chairperson of the National UKPC/FCYA is not surprised by the findings and says UKPC/FCYA’s work for years has addressed the issue of cultural identity among second-generation Filipinos. “We link it back to the fact that we never really learn anything about our culture, except food, costumes and dances. The real barriers are never discussed in the mainstream.”

UKPC/FCYA also has a track record for criticizing and challenging Canada’s Multiculturalism policy. “It does not recognize the particular issues of various communities of colour,” says Sayo. “It instead covers up the issues under a shroud of cultural diversity.” He says that whenever the organization advocates for the rights and welfare of the Filipino community, they are labeled as being too “ethno-specific.”

“It’s challenging,” says Sayo, “but we have been able to affect change, and our work is progressing. That is why this consultation is so important. It offers Filipinos a real way to address policies that affect our community, and the institutions that enforce them.”

The consultation comes after similar consultations held earlier this year in Montreal and Toronto. It draws on research conducted by various community organizations that documents the experiences of the Filipino community, and highlights the challenges and barriers to genuine participation in Canadian society. A specific panel presentation will focus on Filipino youth, their issues, and how to make Filipino youth count in Canada.

Registration is $75 for two and a half days, including a conference package and six meals.

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For more information and/or to register, call: 604-215-1103, email: pwc@kalayaancentre.net or visit: http://www.kalayaancentre.net