A Filipino-Canadian now serves in the 105-seat Senate of Canada, after he was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on September 7.

Harper named Tobias Enverga Jr. to the Senate of Canada effective immediately, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday.

"Senator Enverga was one of five distinguished Canadians joining the 105-seat Senate of Canada where they are expected to serve until the age of 75. Senator Enverga fills one of two vacant seats for Ontario while the rest of the quintet will represent Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick," the DFA said in a news release.

Before his appointment, Enverga was a project manager at the Bank of Montreal, where he has worked for more than 30 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Also, he earned a Computer Studies Certificate from Centennial College.

"I look forward to working with these talented individuals. Their skills and experience will help to further advance our shared goals of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians," the DFA quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

The DFA said Enverga has been involved in various organizations and a number of charitable projects.

He is the first Filipino-Canadian elected in the City of Toronto, and served as Trustee to the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Also, he co-chairs the Asian Heritage Month Celebration for the Greater Toronto Area and was previously a Director of the Canadian Multicultural Council - Asians in Ontario.

He is also the founder of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation and a former president of the Philippine Independence Day Council.

In 2012, Enverga received the Queen's 60th Diamond Jubilee medal of distinction.

Within the Filipino community in Toronto, Enverga is known for his active involvement in charitable projects in the Philippines.

For his exceptional contribution to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines, he was conferred the Linkapil Award by the Office of the President in 2008.

For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie Gatan said the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa joins Filipino communities in hailing Enverga's appointment.

"Slowly but surely, Filipino excellence continues to gain recognition in the highest echelons of Canadian officialdom.  We hope that his appointment will inspire other Filipino-Canadians to achieve their own high aspirations in this welcoming land of opportunity," Gatan said. — LBG, GMA News