MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived in Vancouver, Canada early Thursday for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ strategic partnership with Canada through expanded cooperation in trade, defense, energy, cybersecurity, and regional security amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
Marcos is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss ways to broaden bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including mining, critical minerals, renewable and nuclear energy, information technology-business process management, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and financial services.
The two leaders are also expected to finalize a bilateral plan of action that will serve as a roadmap for future cooperation between the Philippines and Canada.
The President described Canada as one of the Philippines’ longstanding partners, noting that its support has become increasingly significant as both countries confront shifting geopolitical and economic realities.
Marcos highlighted recent gains in bilateral relations, including negotiations for a Philippines-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the ongoing ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement talks, the entry of Philippine mangoes into the Canadian market, the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation in 2024, the conclusion of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in 2025, and the first Philippines-Canada Maritime Dialogue held earlier this year.
He also expressed gratitude for Canada’s continued backing of the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea.
“It may not be known to many, but Canada has been consistent and steadfast in its statements of support for the Philippines’ assertion of its sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the midst of the ongoing issues we are facing in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Marcos said Canada’s position demonstrates both nations’ commitment to upholding a rules-based international order founded on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.
The President added that he would encourage Canada to take a more active role in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting regional initiatives to address the impact of the continuing crisis in the Middle East.
As part of his visit, Marcos is also scheduled to meet members of the Filipino community in Canada, which he described as among the country’s greatest strengths overseas.
He noted that about one million Filipinos now live in Canada, contributing significantly to both the Philippine economy and Canadian society.
While the President is in Canada, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino will serve as members of the government’s caretaker committee from July 1 to 4./PN
