Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 23) — Filipino-Canadian Senator Gigi Osler described returning to the Philippines for the second time as a “long overdue homecoming.”
Osler is the first female Filipino-Canadian senator. She was a former surgeon and president of the Canadian Medical Association. She is in Manila as part of Canada’s delegation for the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum.
“Even though I was born and raised in Canada, I feel like this is my home country as well. The reception has been wonderful, the people have been so kind and welcoming, I’m just so excited to represent Canada,” she said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday.
Osler was appointed by the Canadian Senate in 2022. She said taking on the new role was not an easy decision.
“I have been a surgeon by training, so I always imagine my life, my career will be spent serving medicine and doing surgery. But now with this opportunity, I have a chance to serve more people,” she said.
Asked what her new role means for the over one million Filipino-Canadians in Canada, Osler said it’s “transformative.”
“We are growing a number in Canada and contributing so much to Canadian culture and society,” she added.
The Canadian senator cited some of her priorities, including advocating for the rule of law, stressing the need for quality healthcare education and promoting people-to-people ties.
“We are seeing more migration to Canada, certainly in the healthcare profession. The Philippines is being looked at as a very important country in that field, but we must ensure that the Philippines has sustainable healthcare system,” she said.
Over a year into her new role, Osler hopes that she could pave the way for more opportunities for Filipino-Canadians.
“Canadians can appreciate all of the talents, all of the skills, all of the potential that Filipinos bring to the table that we are more than nurses. We are more than migrant workers; we are talented professionals. We are smart, we can achieve so many things. And so, part of what I hope to achieve back home is to break some of those stereotypes,” she said.
