President Marcos, who left for Canada Wednesday night, will hold bilateral discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney aimed at further deepening Philippines-Canada relations and advancing cooperation in key strategic sectors.

The two leaders are expected to assess progress in defense and security engagements and efforts to expand trade and investment, as well as explore avenues to bolster cooperation in enhancing economic resilience, strengthening collaboration in energy and critical minerals, and reinforcing people-to-people linkages.

The President’s official visit will be from 1 to 4 July. In Canada, he will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in engagements with the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Official visit

His trip marks the first official visit of a Philippine President to Canada in more than a decade. The two nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024.

Canada and the Philippines share a growing economic partnership. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $3.4 billion, underpinned by Canada’s $1.7 billion direct investment in the country.

Both nations are also accelerating bilateral Free Trade Agreement negotiations, targeting a finalized deal in 2026 to boost key sectors like agriculture, green energy and critical minerals

While in Canada, Marcos will also attend various business meetings and private-sector engagements with Canada’s economic players during his official visit from 1 to 4 July.

Canadian businessmen

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said those slated to meet with the President will include Canadian businessmen engaged in mining, information technology and business process management, telecommunications, nuclear energy and financial services.

Regarding formal frameworks of cooperation and other agreements, among those expected to be issued are tie-ups in energy, natural resources, trade and investment, labor and immigration, tourism, culture and the arts.

“One of the agendas is how best to improve good relations between Canada and the Philippines and to ensure that the two countries’ ties remain firm,” Castro said.