CHRISTMAS: A STORY OF HOPE WITH UGNAYAN KAY MLA MABLE ELMORE

Christmas is about giving, sharing, caring, loving and hope. This comes true to the more than 70 members of One Filipino Co-operative of BC (Filco-op) and Filco-op One Housing Society (OHS) who participated in the Ugnayan (Community Meeting)with MLA Mable Elmore on December 19, 2020.

Ugnayan means connection- in thoughts and meaning, of people or groups and connotes relationship. The evening of Ugnayan with MLA Mable Elmore was truly an epitome of this good-natured word. MLA Mable Elmore shared her mandates as Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services & Long-Term Care and the members in return expressed their concerns, opinions and suggestions for policy reforms, structural changes, and points of collaboration. The issues raised by members – fair wages and benefits, access to professional development, security of tenure, decent retirement benefits, and access to affordable house ownership or rental units were a microcosm of the challenges faced by millions of Filipino-Canadians, born or naturalized, and other Canadians across the country.

The group symbolically hand-over a petition paper entitled “We Earnestly Ask, We Earnestly Commit. A Petition to the Premier”. This was addressed to Hon. Premier John Horgan, through Mable Elmore, MLA.

The Ugnayan was emotionally exhilarating for those present - of being asked, heard, and engaged in a discussion on issues that matter to their hearts, dreams, and aspiration. We ended the evening with a toast to 2020 for the challenges, insights and the gift of a resilient community and spirit. We had a toast to 2021 for a year full of promises - of new beginnings, relationships and hope for the more than 500 members of the 2 organizations. It is indeed a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!