By Derek Cornet

‘Start to a better life’: Filipino Canadians form non-profit to benefit tri-community

May 23, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Filipino Canadians in the region have started a new non-profit organization to make a positive impact in the lives of local residents.

The La Ronge and District Filipino – Canadian Community was officially formed May 20 at a special meeting hosted at the home of current president Sonny Montilla. He said members of the Filipino community want to contribute more to the development of La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, as well as assist those living in the Philippines.

“In 2008, there were only four families here and now we’re at somewhere like 60 families,” Montilla said. “I would like to see the Filipino community unite in this small town. I know this town, as an immigrant, is a good start to a better life.”

As a non-profit, Montilla said the group will be able to fundraise to help meet the needs of other local organizations. He noted some examples would be the Lac La Ronge Food Bank, Piwapan Women’s Centre, Scattered Sites Outreach Program and other groups that ask for help. While the non-profit is still in its early days, Montilla is hopeful more Filipinos will want to be involved.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2016 there were more than 24,000 Saskatchewan residents who reported Tagalog as their mother language making it the most common after English and French. In 2011, only 11,000 people reported it as such marking a nearly 125 per cent rise in five years. In La Ronge and Air Ronge, there has also been a steady rise in those who speak immigrant languages with 205 declaring so in 2016 compared to 110 in 2011.

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“Filipinos make a big contribution to the economy,” Montilla said. “As a business owner, without manpower it’s going to be hard to continue and grow your business.”

Montilla has also noticed the steady rise in Filipino Canadians in the last decade, noting those who identify as such can now be found throughout the province.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno