President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will embark on an official visit to Canada from July 1 to 4 upon the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Friday.
In a statement, the PCO said Marcos and Carney are expected to hold a bilateral meeting as part of efforts to strengthen the relations and advance cooperation in key strategic areas between the Philippines and Canada.
“The two leaders are expected to assess progress in defense and security engagements and efforts to expand trade and investment, and explore avenues to bolster cooperation in enhancing economic resilience, strengthening collaboration in energy and critical minerals, and reinforce people-to-people linkages,” the PCO said.
The PCO added that the two leaders would also discuss the Philippines’ role as this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair, as well as the region’s strategic priorities.
Canada has been an ASEAN dialogue partner since 1977 and has maintained a strategic partnership with the regional bloc since 2023.
During his visit to Canada, Marcos would also meet with Canadian business leaders and investors to attract more foreign investments in high-impact sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI).
“A key focus of the visit will be the promotion of business and investment opportunities,” the PCO said.
“President Marcos will lead engagements with Canadian business leaders and investors in sectors critical to the Philippines’ economic agenda, including information technology, business process management, artificial intelligence (Al) and critical infrastructure, critical minerals, and other high-growth industries,” it added.
Marcos would also meet with the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia, in recognition of the overseas Filipinos’ significant contributions to the economic growth of both nations and their enduring ties.
Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
His visit marks the first official visit of a Philippine president to Canada in over a decade, following former president Benigno Aquino Ill’s visit in 2015.
The last Canadian leader to visit the Philippines was former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
The Philippines and Canada celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024, reflecting a longstanding partnership anchored on shared values, particularly the promotion of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, strong economic ties, and vibrant people-to-people connections. (PNA)
