The Philippine ambassador to Canada urges the New Brunswick government to lobby hard to get the federal government's co-operation on its immigration needs.

Ambassador Jose Brillantes, who recently met with Filipinos in Fredericton, told The Daily Gleaner the provincial government should seek to speed up the process of getting immigrants.

"Immigration is a very parochial area in the sense that it is really only the receiving country that has the say in terms of final decision. In effect, what we have said is New Brunswick should tell the federal government that they need so many since they are not getting it," he said.

"They should ask the federal government to accelerate the process so that they can get as many as they can, as fast as they can."

The Liberal government is targeting 5,000 immigrants every year until 2015. Brillantes is hoping Filipinos will get a share of the pie.

"In the end, New Brunswick should fend for itself ... and in the process, the qualified Filipinos, and there are so many of them, will get a fair share of the market of new immigrants in Canada," Brillantes said.

Brillantes also hosted a dinner for more than 70 Filipinos and their families at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday. It was an occasion for the ambassador to get to know the Filipinos living in Fredericton and in the nearby areas, such as Oromocto, Woodstock, Moncton and Saint John.

Beverly Woznow, New Brunswick immigration manager, lectured about the provincial nominee program, and the new strategy of the province on community sponsorship.

Brillantes also inducted the officers of the newly formed Filipino Association of New Brunswick.

Jocelyn Weirathmueller was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the association. She said that an association allows for a sense of belonging and a connectedness to others in the community.

"For newly landed immigrants especially, it can help to ease their integration into a new country, city, a new way of life and a new culture. It would also be a source of information and direction for members who need help facing challenges such as with employers, helping relatives back home, etc," Weirathmueller said.

"More importantly, it assures us of activities and unique ways of celebrating that help ensure the passing on of our heritage to our children and children's children."

Clevan Lamason, who was elected vice-president of the association, said one of the objectives is to promote and preserve Filipino heritage.

"It also aims to welcome and assist newcomers in New Brunswick and help them adjust to their new environment," Lamason said.

The other officers inducted were:Sally Lamason, Luisa Misa-Toyer, Sam Benigno, Josie Sison and Earl Denver Montanez.