President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Vancouver, Canada on Thursday for a four-day official visit scheduled from July 1 to 4.
The aircraft carrying the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and members of the Philippine delegation landed at Vancouver International Airport at 4:46 p.m. local time on July 1, or 7:46 a.m. in Manila on July 2.
The visit comes at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The President is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with Carney, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting between their respective delegations. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, renewable energy, and tourism.
“I will have a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Carney, followed by an expanded meeting with our respective delegations, to specifically pursue these collaborations as both sides look to elevate Philippines-Canada relations,” Marcos said during his departure speech.
Marcos said the visit reflects the continuing strengthening of relations between the Philippines and Canada across multiple sectors.
He also said the meetings are expected to lay the groundwork for a “Plan of Action” that will guide the next phase of bilateral relations. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is expected to work with its Canadian counterpart in drafting the framework, which aims to ensure sustained cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.
“I expect the discussions to lay the broad strokes of a Plan of Action which I will task the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to craft with her counterpart...This Plan of Action will shape the next phase of our bilateral relations and ensure the sustained and dynamic growth of our partnership in the years to come,” Marcos said.
Aside from official engagements, Marcos is also set to meet with members of the Filipino community in Canada, accompanied by the First Lady.
The President noted that around one million Filipinos are currently working and residing in Canada.
The visit marks the first official trip of a Philippine president to Canada in more than a decade, following the 2015 visit of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.
