Benson Flores, a Filipino immigrant who arrived in British Columbia in 1861, has been recognized as the first documented Filipino to settle in Canada. This revelation reshapes the timeline of Filipino immigration to Canada, which was previously thought to have started in the 1930s with Filipino laborers. Flores’s presence in British Columbia—decades before it even became a Canadian province—illustrates a long history of Filipino contributions to Canadian society and adds depth to the story of the Filipino community’s roots in North America.
The Life of Benson Flores on Bowen Island
After arriving in British Columbia, Flores made his home on Bowen Island, near modern-day Vancouver. Taking on a variety of roles, Flores worked as a fisherman, trapper, and beachcomber, settling in the area long before it became a tourist destination. In 1892, Flores officially claimed land in Snug Cove, where he built a floating homestead and opened the island’s first boat rental business, which served visitors and locals alike. Flores’s life was marked by his generosity and his strong friendships with prominent Bowen Island residents, including steam engineer Jacob Dorman, with whom he formed a close bond. Flores was known for his kindness, frequently sharing his resources with neighbors and visitors alike, and he was widely recognized as an integral part of the community.
Rediscovery and Recognition of Flores’s Legacy
The story of Benson Flores was brought to light by Vancouver-based historian and radio host Joseph Lopez, who unearthed archival documents confirming Flores’s arrival in Canada nearly a century before Filipino laborers became widely recognized in the country. This finding prompted a celebration of Flores’s contributions and the broader history of Filipino immigration to Canada. In April 2024, a formal commemoration was held to honor Flores’s life and legacy, with community leaders and members of the Filipino-Canadian community gathering to reflect on his impact.
Efforts are now underway to memorialize Flores further, with plans to install a gravestone at his previously unmarked burial site in Vancouver. The Filipino community, in collaboration with local historical societies, hopes to secure a permanent place for Flores in Canadian history, symbolizing the longstanding presence and resilience of Filipinos in Canada.
A Legacy of Filipino-Canadian Heritage
For Filipino-Canadians, Benson Flores’s life is a profound reminder of the deep roots that their community holds in Canada. His story is a source of pride and an emblem of resilience, showing that Filipino immigrants were building communities and contributing to Canadian society as far back as the 19th century. Today, his legacy serves as a bridge, connecting Filipino-Canadians with their history in Canada and inspiring pride in the generations to come. Flores’s pioneering spirit and enduring contributions underscore the strength and vitality of the Filipino community, a legacy that continues to thrive across the nation.
