President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to undertake a four-day official mission to Canada from July 1 to July 4, aiming to substantially strengthen economic and diplomatic relations between Manila and Ottawa. The trip comes at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
A statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) outlined that the upcoming bilateral talks will cover critical mutual interests. Among the top priorities on the agenda are maritime security and defense cooperation, sustainable economic development, clean energy partnerships, and critical mineral sourcing.
The two heads of state are also slated to review geopolitical security dynamics, particularly through the lens of the Philippines presiding over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
A core element of the administration’s agenda is showcasing the Philippines as an attractive market for Canadian investors.
President Marcos will spearhead high-level meetings with corporate executives to pitch investment prospects in high-growth sectors, specifically artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, business process outsourcing, and information technology.
“A key focus of the visit will be the promotion of business and investment opportunities,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.
The diplomatic trip will also feature a community-oriented itinerary, as the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are set to travel to Vancouver to engage with the Filipino diaspora. With the local Filipino-Canadian population nearing one million, the gathering seeks to acknowledge the community’s profound contribution to reinforcing the cross-border partnership.
This milestone journey marks the first official visit by a Philippine head of state to Canada in more than a decade, with the last being undertaken by the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2015.
Coming closely on the heels of the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations celebrated in 2024, the state visit underscores a renewed commitment to sustaining peace and economic integration in the region.