Senator dies while on trip to Colombia
OTTAWA — Tobias Enverga Jr., the first Filipino-Canadian ever appointed to the Senate, has died while on a parliamentary visit to Colombia.
Conservatives on Parliament Hill flooded social media with condolences upon hearing the news.
“The tragic loss of his welcom- ing and sunny personality leaves a large hole in the lives of all who knew him,” Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said in a statement.
Prior to beginning his political career, Enverga, 61, worked as a project manager for the Bank of Montreal, but was best known for his work on behalf of the Filipino community, including establishing the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation.
He later became a Toronto Catholic School Board trustee before then-prime minister Stephen Harper named him to the upper chamber in 2012.
Enverga’s fellow Conservative senators Linda Frum and Dennis Patterson conveyed their shock and heartbreak over the death of their good friend.
Conservative MP Erin O’Toole called him a role model and leader in the Filipino community.
Enverga emigrated to Canada after earning a bachelor of arts degree in the Philippines. He took an MA at York University and his tenure at the Bank of Montreal lasted for three decades.
Enverga leaves behind his wife, Rosemer, and three daughters: Rystle, Reeza and Rocel.