Marcos to visit Canada next week for talks with PM Carney

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit Canada from July 1 to 4 to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Joseph Carney and discuss the progress of bilateral cooperation in several areas including defense, security, and trade, Malacañang said on Friday.

The Canadian prime minister's office also confirmed Marcos' trip, saying it would mark the first visit by a Philippine head of state to Canada in 11 years.

During the meeting, the two leaders will review the progress of Philippines-Canada cooperation in defense and security, efforts to expand trade and investment, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration in economic resilience, energy, critical minerals, and people-to-people ties, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

They will also talk about the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship and regional strategic priorities, with Canada serving as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 1977 and a Strategic Partner since 2023, the PCO said.

Carney's office said the two leaders are also expected to discuss the negotiations for the Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement and the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, both of which are targeted for completion this year during the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship.

Marcos and Carney held their first in-person meeting during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 2025.

The President is also scheduled to meet with Canadian business leaders and investors in sectors aligned with the Philippines' economic priorities, including information technology, business process management, artificial intelligence (AI), critical infrastructure, critical minerals, and other high-growth industries, the PCO said.

Marcos, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, will meet with members of the Filipino community in Vancouver, British Columbia, as part of the visit.

"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. I look forward to hosting President Marcos Jr. as we bring our countries ever closer," Carney said. — VBL, GMA News