President Bongbong Marcos announced that the Philippines and Canada have elevated their relations to a Strategic Partnership following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Vancouver.
The new framework expands cooperation in trade, energy, defence, tourism, and maritime security as both governments move to deepen their engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Marcos and Carney also reaffirmed their intention to conclude negotiations for a Philippines-Canada free trade agreement within 2026.
“We have tasked our Foreign Ministers to draw up a Plan of Action to pursue our shared commitment to work together in adapting to shifting global realities, addressing shared challenges, and building capacities for a future-ready partnership,” Marcos said.
Marcos placed security at the center of the upgraded relationship, citing recent defence cooperation and the need to protect stability in the region.
“We recognize that robust defense and security cooperation underpins the strong momentum of our relations. Recent milestones in this pillar underscore the shared commitment of our countries in ensuring that our peoples continue to live in a peaceful and secure region.”
The President also sought continued Canadian support for maritime domain awareness and efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. He thanked Canada for its support for the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award and the rules-based order under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The partnership gives Marcos a formal channel to push Philippine interests in security, trade, and maritime protection while Canada expands its economic and strategic presence in Southeast Asia.
