President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines and Canada have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, a move that coincided with US$2.5 billion in investment commitments from Canadian companies following his official visit to Vancouver, British Columbia.
In his post-visit statement, Marcos described the trip as a success, saying it strengthened cooperation between the two countries in security, trade, energy, technology, and investments.
"Tunay na naging matagumpay ang ating biyahe kung saan napag-sang-ayunan natin ang ilang mga inisiyatibo sa hanay ng gobyerno at ng pribadong sektor," the President said.
"Hard work, though, does not end here. Patuloy tayong magsisikap upang ang ating nakamit at nasimulan sa Canada ay yayabong at madarama ng mas nakakaraming Pilipino," he added.
Marcos and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to elevate Philippine-Canada relations to a strategic partnership, which the President described as a roadmap for expanding cooperation between the two countries.
"Ushering in a new chapter in our ties with Canada, Prime Minister Carney and I announced the elevation of Philippine-Canada relations to a strategic partnership," Marcos said.
He noted that nearly one million Filipinos now reside in Canada, underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as security, commerce, and people-to-people ties.
The President also directed Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro to work with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in crafting a joint action plan aimed at addressing emerging global challenges and expanding future-ready partnerships.
South China Sea, Indo-Pacific cooperation
Marcos said both countries reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region and committed to working together on shared regional priorities.
He also expressed gratitude to Canada for its continued support for the rules-based international order in the South China Sea, particularly its recognition of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award.
The President said he hopes Canada will remain among the leading international voices supporting the arbitral ruling as the Philippines marks its 10th anniversary this year.
US$2.5 billion in investment commitments
On the economic front, Marcos said meetings with Canadian business leaders resulted in US$2.5 billion worth of investment commitments across the mining, critical minerals, energy, information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), and digital economy sectors.
Among the companies the President met were B2Gold Corporation, OceanaGold Corporation, TELUS Corporation, and NQX, which discussed plans to expand their investments in the Philippines.
The President said discussions with IT-BPM firms also explored establishing artificial intelligence hubs and learning centers to help develop AI skills for the global workforce.
Marcos added that the new investment commitments further underscore the need to conclude the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between the Philippines and Canada.
"Thus, it is already timely that we presently are negotiating a free trade agreement with Canada, which we hope will further strengthen our economic cooperation once it enters into force," he said.
Canada also pledged an initial CAD 2 million to support projects under the Luzon Economic Corridor, including initiatives on infrastructure, supply chains, and clean energy.
During the visit, both leaders also witnessed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation, aimed at enhancing collaboration on energy security, sustainable economic growth, and resilient supply chains.
The Philippines and Canada likewise agreed to deepen defense and security cooperation through existing agreements, including the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
