Alberta's Filipino community reacts to deadly Vancouver car ramming
CBC
Alberta's Filipino community is mourning the loss of 11 people who were killed at a block party in Vancouver Saturday night.
Dozens more were hurt in the incident, when a vehicle drove into a crowd during a Lapu Lapu Day festival in the city.
Police say the man who was charged following the incident has a history of interactions with police and mental health professionals. He is facing eight counts of second-degree murder.
According to 2021 census data, about 22 per cent of Canada's Filipino population lives in Alberta.
Premier Danielle Smith said in a statement posted to social media that Filipino-Canadians are kind, hard-working, and "cherished members of our communities right across Canada."
"What happened last night at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver is truly incomprehensible," Smith said. "Albertans are heartbroken by this devastating loss of life and injuries reported. Vancouver and its Filipino community are firmly in our thoughts and prayers."
The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary expressed its concern Sunday over the incident, saying it stands in solidarity with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, the Filipino community in British Columbia, and Filipinos across Canada.
"We trust that the relevant authorities are addressing the matter, and we remain supportive of efforts to ensure that Filipino cultural events continue to be spaces of pride, dignity, and harmony for all," consul general Emma Sarne said.
Emelcris Aurelio, president of the Brooks Filipino Community Association, says she saw footage of the incident on social media and it broke her heart.
"It was really tragic, it was horrific," she said. "They don't deserve this."
Aurelio says as a leader in her community, it's challenging to come to terms with the tragedy.
"It is a trying time for us Filipinos," she said.
"It's hard to accept the reality that maybe most of these people are breadwinners back home, they have families, they are kids that maybe have hopes and dreams and a promising future, that just ends up into something that doesn't make sense."
Mavi Tolentino, owner of Balay Coffee in Edmonton, says they've opened up their pop-up shop to mourning members of the Filipino community, offering a safe space for those who need support.
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