NEW YORK — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will undertake a four‑day state visit to Canada from July 1 to 4, marking the first visit by a Philippine head of state to the country in 11 years. The trip comes at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced that he will host Marcos in Vancouver for high‑level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, the visit seeks to advance collaboration in defense, security, trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, and people‑to‑people ties. The two leaders last met during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025, where they agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Canada‑Philippines Free Trade Agreement and a broader Canada‑ASEAN Free Trade Agreement.
Carney emphasized the importance of the visit, saying: “The relationship between Canada and the Philippines is strengthened by the deep ties between our citizens. With the Filipino‑Canadian diaspora nearly one million strong, Canada and the Philippines are building up our partnership so it’s stronger and more expansive, and so it reflects the depth of our values.”
Why Canada Is Hosting the Visit
Canada is actively expanding its presence in the Indo‑Pacific through its Indo‑Pacific Strategy, which prioritizes deeper engagement with Southeast Asian partners, including the Philippines. The country has recently opened offices in Manila for Export Development Canada and the Indo‑Pacific Agriculture and Agri‑Food Program, signaling its intent to deepen commercial and development ties.
Hosting Marcos aligns with Canada’s goal of diversifying trade and strengthening partnerships amid global economic uncertainty. The Philippines is Canada’s sixth‑largest export market within ASEAN, with bilateral merchandise trade reaching C$3.4 billion in 2025.
The visit also builds on recent defense cooperation milestones, including agreements enabling the two countries’ armed forces to train and operate together, and ongoing negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
Key Initiatives on the Table
Marcos and Carney are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in maritime security, clean energy, critical minerals, food security, tourism, and cultural exchanges. Canada is also looking to strengthen collaboration as the Philippines chairs ASEAN this year, with Canada serving as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 1977 and a Strategic Partner since 2023.
A major focus of the visit will be promoting business and investment opportunities. Marcos will meet Canadian executives in sectors central to the Philippines’ economic agenda, including information technology, business process outsourcing, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and high‑growth industries.
The President will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos, who will join engagements with the Filipino community in Vancouver.
Filipino Population in Canada
Canada is home to 957,355 Filipino Canadians, according to the 2021 Census — nearly one million people, making Filipinos one of the country’s largest and fastest‑growing immigrant communities.
Filipinos are concentrated in Ontario (363,655), Alberta (216,710), British Columbia (174,280), and Manitoba (94,320). Major metropolitan hubs include Toronto (272,475), Vancouver (141,230), Calgary (83,815), and Winnipeg (81,135).
Their strong presence is a key driver of Canada’s interest in deepening ties, with Carney noting that the diaspora is central to the “rapidly growing partnership. Their strong presence is a key driver of Canada’s interest in deepening ties, with Carney noting that the diaspora is central to the “rapidly growing partnership” between the two nations.
