Strategic ties, $2.5-B investment pledges mark Marcos' Canada visit

VANCOUVER, Canada — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday (Canada time) touted the elevation of Philippine-Canada ties and USD2.5 billion in investment commitments during his four-day official visit to Canada.

Marcos cited the gains in his “productive” trip, ushering in a new chapter in the two nations’ relations highlighted by the start of their strategic partnership and stronger investor confidence in the Philippines.

Before flying back to Manila, Marcos said his meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and key economic players paved the way for expanded cooperation in security, trade, investment, energy and other priority sectors.

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“This move, while reflective of the deep and strong bilateral relations that we have developed with Canada, also catalyzes our next steps towards the new phase of our relations in ensuring the sustained and dynamic growth of our bilateral ties,” Marcos said.

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Business expansion

On the economic front, Marcos said meetings with Canadian business leaders resulted in USD2.5 billion in investment commitments covering mining, critical minerals, energy, services, and information technology and business process management (IT-BPM).

He said the discussions reinforced the Philippines’ position as a competitive investment destination and reliable partner for Canadian businesses seeking to expand their presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Among the companies eyeing business expansion in the country were B2Gold Corporation, OceanaGold Corporation, Telus Corporation, and NQX.

READ: Canada’s OceanaGold plans $1.9-B expansion in PH

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“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,” Marcos said.

Stronger economic cooperation

Marcos hoped for the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations for an Asean-Canada free trade agrement within the year, saying the pact would further deepen economic cooperation and support trade diversification between the Philippines and Canada.

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He also welcomed Canada’s participation in the Luzon Economic Corridor through an initial investment CAD2-million Canadian investment pledge to support infrastructure, the supply chain and clean energy projects.

“I committed to work with the Prime Minister in standing against economic coercion, increasing our bilateral trade, and building resilient supply chains,” Marcos said.

Marcos directed Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro to work with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to craft a plan of action that will guide joint efforts in addressing emerging global challenges and strengthening future-ready partnerships.

“This takes into account current global and regional developments, including rapid changes in technology, as well as social and environmental challenges that bring together uncertainty and volatility. And this seems to have an impact on the future of our two nations,” he said.

READ: Marcos pitches PH as Canada partner in mining

Sustained engagement

Marcos also underscored Canada’s sustained engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.

He likewise welcomed Ottawa’s continued support for the rules-based international order, particularly its consistent backing of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea.

READ: Marcos thanks Canada for support of rules-based order in SCS

“I convey the hope that as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award, Canada will continue to be one of the leading voices in upholding the award as an unassailable part of the corpus of international law,” Marcos said.

Key areas of cooperation

Marcos also highlighted the progress in defense and security cooperation through existing agreements, including the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.

“These mechanisms translate our commitment to maintain a peaceful and stable region into practical and tangible actions,” he said.

Marcos also noted that several agreements were signed during his official visit to Canada, in an effort to enhance the two nations’ cooperation in tourism, culture and arts, labor and migration.

During the high-level roundtable discussions with leading Canadian firms and industry leaders, Marcos underscored the Philippines’ commitment to fostering a competitive, sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

“The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in mining, critical minerals, energy, the ITBPM sector, key industries that will support the country’s industrial transformation, digital economy, and long-term economic resilience,” he said.

“Conversations with the IT-BPM companies also focus on global artificial intelligence hubs and learning centers that will serve as centralized AI (artificial intelligence)-driven facilities to upskill these companies’ global workforce,” Marcos added.

Recognition of PH professionals

Marcos also met with members of the Filipino community in Canada to convey his gratitude and appreciation for their hard work and contributions to the Philippine economy.

Canada is home to nearly one million Filipinos.

“I was heartened by their presence and the positive remarks of the Canadian government officials and ordinary Canadian citizens about the Philippines diaspora and how they are very glad and very happy to have the Filipinos that are here in Canada,” Marcos said.

He said Filipinos in Canada are “widely respected and regarded as a steady and positive force in Canada’s society.”

Marcos, however, acknowledged that amendments to Canada’s migration law have an impact on Filipino professionals, noting that the quota for Filipino workers has been lessened.

Marcos said he is seeking transparency and clarification because some of the provisions of new law remains “unclear.”

“Of course, it would be highly improper for me to suggest any changes in another country’s law,” he said.

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“All we were asking is that to make very clear and very transparent exactly what the rules are, so that the Filipinos here who are already in Canada know their status. We just want to make sure they have been here.”