By Brian Campued
The Philippines and Canada on Thursday (Canada time), have elevated their bilateral relations into a Strategic Partnership, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to work together in adapting to the shifting global realities, addressing shared challenges, and future-proofing their long-standing partnership.
In a joint press conference following his bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney at the Vancouver Convention Centre, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. noted that the Philippines and Canada’s continued cooperation demonstrates mutual trust and a positive trajectory of bilateral relations.
“Today, I am pleased to announce the elevation of our bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership,” the President said, adding that foreign ministers of both countries have been tasked to formulate an ambitious and forward-looking Plan of Action that will guide the implementation of the partnership and ensure its long-term momentum.
He cited recent milestones in their countries’ defense and security cooperation, such as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) signed in Manila last November and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement signed in Ottawa last June.
Stressing that a Strategic Partnership is defined “not just by deep and close relations,” but also by its “reliability,” President Marcos Jr. commended Canada for its support on the rules-based order in the South China Sea and in the Indo-Pacific and the deployment of its Dark Vessel Detection Program in Philippine waters to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) and increase maritime domain awareness.
For Prime Minister Carney, reinforcing collective security through joint military exercises and operations is vital as the world becomes “more dangerous” and “more divided” with the emergence of new threats that test old alliances.
“And so in a rapidly changing world, what Canada is doing is deepening our partnerships with countries who share our values and our ambitions,” he said.
Beyond defense and security, the two countries also signed the Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy and Natural Resources Cooperation, which includes the launch of an annual government-to-government energy cooperation dialogue aimed at aligning energy priorities as well as discussing responsible natural resource development to support sustainable economic growth.
PM Carney assured that both nations will “put to good use their resources in order to strengthen their supply chains in critical minerals and in order to be able to offer more critical minerals coming from Canada and the Philippines on the world markets.”
Both leaders likewise witnessed the signing and exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on tourism, culture, and labor and migration, highlighting the significant role of Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians as the “heart and soul of the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Canada.”
“These agreements will help us harness the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries, as we jointly build capacities and create a mutually beneficial talent pipeline for the future,” the President said.
Carney said their government will ensure that Filipinos are treated fairly, can work safely, and have their rights protected while they are working in Canada.
According to Carney, Canada is home to more than one million Filipino Canadians, with nearly 200,000 residing in British Columbia.
“There are doctors, our nurses, our caregivers who help Canadians in their most critical moments. There are entrepreneurs, businesses, businesses that in some cases have become the gathering places for families and friends,” he said.
“The Filipino community has helped build the Canada that we know today—a Canada that’s stronger, it’s richer, it’s more vibrant because of the people who’ve chosen to make it their home,” he added.
Meanwhile, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to finalize the proposed Philippine-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this year while negotiations continue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA).
“We renewed our commitment to increase our bilateral trade, stand against economic coercion, and build a resilient supply chain,” Marcos Jr. said.
Prime Minister Carney, for his part, noted “good progress” in the Philippine-Canada FTA. He said Canada wants to triple its bilateral trade with one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies by 2035.
The ACAFTA is also expected to reduce tariffs and help give Canadian workers and businesses access to a $5 trillion market of over 700 million people.
Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Canada is the first for a Philippine president in more than a decade since the late President Benigno Aquino III’s visit in 2015.
During his four-day visit, the President is expected to meet with Canadian business leaders to secure investment opportunities for the Philippines. He will also engage with the Filipino community in Vancouver.
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