He is there to meet with several high-profile personalities, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
On Wednesday, July 1 (Canada time), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Vancouver flr his official visit to Canada, with the plane carrying him and the members of his delegation, including First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, having touched down at Vancouver International Airport at 4:46 pm (local time).
Prior to leaving the Philippines, the Chief Executive said the Official Visit is aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, defense, investment, and regional security, saying the trip seeks to build on the growing partnership between the two countries.
“I depart for Canada today, with the First Lady and Members of Cabinet, for an Official Visit upon the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the first visit undertaken by a Philippine President in the last decade,” Marcos said in his departure statement.
The President said the July 1 to 4 visit comes as the Philippines and Canada continue to strengthen ties across various sectors.
“With Canada, we have seen an unprecedented momentum in the deepening of bilateral relations,” he said, adding that both countries have expanded cooperation in economic development, defense and security, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Moreover, he underscored Canada’s support for the Philippines’ sovereignty and sovereign rights, particularly amid developments in the West Philippine Sea — which Marcos noted is a reflection of the two countries’ shared commitment to a rules-based international order, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Meanwhile, on top of his agenda is a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who invited him for the said visit.
It will be followed by an expanded meeting between their respective delegations, to pursue greater collaboration between the Philippines and Canada in mining, critical minerals, renewable energy, trade, investment, culture, and tourism.
Among the top officials who joined the President to Canada were Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, and Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.
Marcos also said he expects the discussions to lay the groundwork for a bilateral Plan of Action for the next phase of Philippines-Canada relations, as well as regional and global issues such as developments in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
He also said he will promote the Philippines’ priorities as this year’s ASEAN Chair on energy and food security, maritime cooperation, and the protection of ASEAN nationals.
However, PBBM underscored that the main goal of his visit is to attract more Canadian investments in strategic industries such as mining, IT-business process management, nuclear energy, telecommunications, cyber technology, and financial services through meetings with business leaders and investors.
He also added that the visit will build on the “very positive trajectory as we pursue new collaborations in niche areas, such as mining, critical minerals, and renewable energy.”
During his visit, the President and the First Lady will also meet members of the Filipino community in Canada, which already has reached about 1 million.
“They are well-respected and sought after for their skills, professionalism, and dedication. Dito sa Pilipinas, patuloy silang nakikilahok sa pagpapaunlad ng ating ekonomiya at pagpapatatag ng ating demokrasya, sa kabila ng ilang taong pagkakawalay sa bayan,” the President said.
“I most certainly look forward to reconnecting with them.”
Meanwhile, he also called Canada as the “Philippines’ longstanding friend and partner.”
The visit marks the first official visit of a Philippine President to Canada in more than a decade, following President Benigno Aquino III in 2015.
The two nations also celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024.