Canada hails expanding trust, cooperation with PH

Canada and the Philippines are entering what could be one of the “most promising chapters” in their relations, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said, as he cited growing trust and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

In his speech during the Canada Day 2026 reception on Thursday, Hartman said this trust was not built overnight, but developed through sustained engagement, friendship, collaboration, and shared values.

“I genuinely believe that Canada and the Philippines are entering one of the most promising chapters in our shared story. And perhaps most importantly, we have seen a growing sense of trust and confidence between our two countries,” he said.

“The kind of trust that cannot be built overnight, but which grows steadily through comprehensive engagement, friendship, collaboration, and shared values,” he added.

In November 2025, the Philippines and Canada signed the Philippines-Canada Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, or SOVFA, which provides the legal framework for Canadian forces to temporarily visit the Philippines for joint military exercises, training, and other defense cooperation activities.

At the same Canada Day event, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to further deepen its long-standing ties with Canada, particularly in defense, maritime security, digital infrastructure, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges.

“The Philippines underscores its unwavering commitment to deepening our bilateral relations with Canada, which dates back to 1949. In February, we convened the seventh meeting of our Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, which laid down the foundation for further cooperation in trade, defense, maritime security, digital infrastructure, sustainable development, and people-to-people ties,” De Vega said.

Canada has been among the countries that have consistently expressed support for the Philippines amid incidents in the West Philippine Sea, including water cannon attacks, dangerous maneuvers, and other actions involving Chinese vessels.

Without naming any country, De Vega said the Philippines places strong emphasis on credible and reliable partnerships amid an increasingly complex international environment.

“And in an increasingly complex international environment, we place a strong emphasis on nurturing credible and reliable partnerships, on collectively maintaining a rules-based international order, promoting peace and stability, and mutual respect among nations,” De Vega said.

“These shared ideals and goals make Canada a natural partner for the Philippines,” she added.

Aside from defense and maritime security cooperation, Hartman also highlighted the role of Filipinos living and working in Canada in strengthening ties between the two countries.

“It lives in the more than one million Filipinos who have helped shape Canada into the country it is today. It lives in students, entrepreneurs, nurses, artists, engineers, caregivers, innovators, and families whose lives span the Pacific and connect our countries every single day,” he said.

The Canada Day 2026 reception also served as Hartman’s farewell message, as he said his assignment in the Philippines is set to end in the coming months.

“It is about saying thank you. Thank you for the friendship you have shown to Canada. Thank you for the partnership you have extended to our embassy. And thank you for making my family feel so welcome in this most beautiful country,” he said. — BM, GMA News