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Photo Credit: Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, Facebook
May 16, 2026
ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute
By Alynna M. Carlos
Given its geopolitical and maritime context, the Philippines’ foreign and security policy priorities focus on maritime security with strong efforts to ensure that friendships and partnerships with the international community are based on a shared commitment to the rules-based international order. Managing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) remains a key concern for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who was elected in 2022 and who views this issue as a prerequisite for regional peace and stability. As a result, the administration’s independent foreign policy embodies the idea that the Philippines is “friends to all, enemies to none,” a stance declared during the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA). This approach was reaffirmed in the 2025 SONA and echoed by government officials when engaging with international counterparts. In addressing challenges in the WPS, the president remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy. To this end, the Philippines actively works to strengthen its international networks through various means, including defence partnerships and trade relations.
Among the enduring friendships that the Philippines has is the one with Canada. Its position on the global stage as an advocate for a rules-based international order makes Canada a suitable partner for the Philippines. Bilateral relations have been described as “strong and friendly” over the past 75 years.[1] While ties have not yet officially been elevated to a comprehensive or strategic partnership (similar to Australia and Japan), or even an alliance (as with the United States), Canada is proving to be a reliable partner for the Philippines through its 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
The most recent upgrade in relations is the strengthening of military and trade relations. Defense ministers of the Philippines and Canada signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in November 2025.[2] It is generally viewed as a positive development and will complement the efforts of the Philippine military to boost its capabilities and modernisation efforts. Furthermore, both countries are in the process of negotiating a free trade agreement. Aside from defence and trade relations, Canada, through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, pledged a humanitarian aid package to the Philippines totalling CAD 650,000 or about PHP 26.9 million.[3] Major initiatives such as these accelerate the friendly relations between the two countries.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: GARBAGE AND HELICOPTERS
Relations between the two countries are not rooted in a bitter history of colonialism and war, and are “safe” and “relatively free of geopolitical baggage.”[4] Instead, trade relations between the two countries have flourished since the establishment of the Canadian insurance company, Sunlife of Canada, in 1896, followed by Manulife in 1907 in Manila. Furthermore, people-to-people ties remain strong; almost a million people in Canada are of Filipino origin, and the Philippines is the second-largest source of immigrants to Canada, after India.[5] Historically, the first Filipino immigrant in Canada was a fisherman named Benson Flores, who arrived in Bowen Island, Vancouver, in 1861.[6]
Relations between the Philippines and Canada were formally established in 1949, when Canada opened a trade mission in Manila, which was subsequently upgraded to a diplomatic mission in 1972. Canada also maintains a consulate in Cebu. As for the Philippines, it first established a Consulate in Vancouver in 1956, which was later elevated to Consulate General in 1962. The embassy in Ottawa opened in 1971.[7] Moreover, the Philippines has Consulate Generals in Toronto, established in 1978, and in Calgary, which opened in 2016. In terms of diplomatic relations, high-level visits are not as frequent. On the one hand, three of Canada’s former Prime Ministers have visited the Philippines, including Jean Chrétien (1997), Stephen Harper (2012), and Justin Trudeau (2017). On the other hand, the Philippine presidents who visited Canada were presidents Benigno Aquino III (2015) and Fidel V. Ramos (1997).
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there have been no major military or diplomatic issues between the two countries except for the waste dispute in 2013. Between 2013 and 2014, around 100 shipping containers carrying around 2,400 tons of waste labelled as plastics for recycling were shipped from Canada to the port in Manila, which were later discovered to contain household waste. The Philippines ordered the retrieval of the shipments in 2016, but it was not until 2019, after then-President Rodrigo Duterte issued a statement and ordered the recall, that Canada took action. At the height of the issue, the Philippines issued orders to its ambassador and consuls to leave after Canada failed to meet the 15 May 2019 deadline to retrieve the garbage.[8] A few days later, Canada pledged to take action, and tensions lessened.
Another bump in relations is the cancellation of the procurement of 16 Bell 412EPI combat utility helicopters worth PHP 12 billion (USD 233 million), ordered by President Duterte in 2018. Eight similar helicopters, worth PHP 4.5 million (USD 105 million), were sold and delivered to Manila in 2014. The deal was signed on 07 February 2018 and was quickly cancelled two days later due to human rights concerns, which pressured former Prime Minister Trudeau domestically, and which infuriated President Duterte.
Despite these setbacks, the friendship remains intact today.
PHILIPPINE-CANADA RELATIONS UNDER MARCOS JR.
Relations between Canada and the Philippines are generally not seen as a substitute for the ongoing tensions between the United States and China. Instead, the strengthening of ties can be understood through Ottawa’s efforts to redefine its position in the global community via its 2022 IPS. Such a strategy document is not entirely unique to Canada; countries such as the United States, Japan, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and South Korea have similarly published documents and policies related to their outlook in the Indo-Pacific.
The Philippines is a key part of Canada’s IPS. While Ottawa is aiming to reorient its focus to the Indo-Pacific region, Manila seeks to engage with like-minded countries toward ensuring peace and stability in the region. The Philippines and Canada see each other as supporters of a rules-based international order and therefore can easily identify areas for collaboration.
On the diplomatic front, high-level visits under the Marcos Jr. administration include those by Canadian Minister Melanie Joly, previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Manila in May 2023, and by then-Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to Canada in May 2024. While President Marcos Jr. has not yet made an official visit to Canada, he briefly spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney in July 2025 and was invited to visit Canada.[9]
On trade relations, the Philippines and Canada are working on a Free Trade Agreement; this was announced during the December 2024 Team Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines. The second round of negotiations was held in April 2026. Furthermore, another FTA is also in the works between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Such efforts deepen economic ties and increase bilateral trade, which was valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2023.[10]
In December 2024, Canada established its Export Development Canada (EDC) office in Manila to facilitate the investment relations between the two countries. Philippine exports to Canada include insulated wire, gold, and integrated circuits, while Canadian exports to the Philippines include cereals, ores, meat, and machinery.[11] Canada is among the Philippines’ suppliers of agri-food and seafood products, and of wheat and meslin, and frozen pork.[12]
Canada is also ramping up investments in agriculture by opening its Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-food Office in Manila in February 2024 as part of its IPS efforts. Agricultural cooperation was further reaffirmed with an in-person meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath Macdonald in Manila in August 2025. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Joint Statement on Technical Collaboration between the Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Agricultural trade has grown steadily over the past few years, reaching USD 568 million in 2022. [13] However, a trade deficit of CAD 489.6 million remains as of 2023, which the renewed agricultural relations can hopefully address.[14]
Aside from import and export exchanges, building people-to-people ties is becoming a key approach for Canada under its IPS. Beginning in 2023, Filipinos are now able to travel to Canada visa-free through an electronic travel authorisation. This is a welcome development for Filipinos who see Canada as a tourist destination.
On top of the diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people ties,military engagements between the two countries are growing as Canada becomes an important part of the Philippines’ expanding defence networks. In April 2025, Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff General Marie Annabelle Jennie Carignan, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD was in Manila for an official visit. This high-level engagement followed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation in January 2024. A few months later, in September 2025, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Canada’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Stefanie Beck on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea. Furthermore, Canada upgraded its role from observer to active participant in the 2026 Exercise BALIKATAN, an annual military exercise organised by the United States and the Philippines.
As previously mentioned, the most notable military cooperation is the highly anticipated SOVFA; negotiations were concluded in March 2025. The SOVFA is intended to reinforce the 2024 MOU and increase the interoperability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Canadian Armed Forces by allowing them to operate and train in each other’s territories. The signing of the SOVFA last November 2025 adds Canada to the list of countries with which the Philippines has similar defence agreements, alongside the United States and Japan.
SHARED INTERESTS AS MARITIME NATIONS
Another key aspect of Philippine-Canada relations is their status as maritime nations, an area that holds significant potential for further collaboration. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, measuring 244,000 km, while the Philippines, also an archipelagic state, has about 36,000 km of coastline. Both countries face similar maritime challenges, and can therefore learn from each other in tackling issues like illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF), and smuggling. In addressing these challenges, both countries view that a whole-of-nation approach is essential. For its part, Canada has its Maritime Security Strategic Framework, first published in 2011 and updated in 2020, which could serve as a model for the Philippines as it develops its own national maritime security strategy.[15] Regular dialogues between the two are conducted through the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC); the seventh JCBC was held in February 2026. More importantly, the inaugural maritime dialogue was conducted in January 2026.[16]
On maritime cooperation, Canada has supported the Philippines in its maritime domain awareness (MDA) programme through the provision of access to the Dark Vessel Detection system at the National Maritime Center. This aids the detection of vessels that have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals while out at sea to conceal activities. This is most useful in identifying illegal and aggressive activities within the country’s maritime zones. Importantly, Canada provided this technology free of charge for five years since its signing in 2023.[17]
The DVD programme is under the office of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and is designed to identify IUUF using satellite technology.[18] Aside from the Philippines, Ecuador, Taiwan and 15 Pacific Island states also receive access to the DVD platform. The programme is part of Canada’s IPS, which established the Shared Ocean Fund, worth CAD 84.3 million in investments over five years.[19] The fund is aimed at supporting ocean management, and reinforcing a healthy marine environment through support against IUUF.[20] Furthermore, the programme is part of Canada’s commitment made at the 2018 G7 Ministerial Meeting in Nova Scotia to invest CAD 11.6 million to combat IUUF. [21]
Operations in the maritime domain are complemented by air surveillance operations. In November 2024, Operation Bantay Lawud was launched by Canada’s fisheries department and the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, when they conducted a two-week air surveillance over the Philippines’ maritime area.[22] The flight was aboard Canada’s Dash-8 surveillance aircraft and completed 70 hours of flight time, spotting 88 possible IUUF violations.
On top of the efforts in IUUF, Canada also participated in multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCA) in the Philippines. It joined the MMCA in June 2024 with Japan and the United States, another one in August 2024 with Australia and the United States, the 7th MMCA with the United States in February 2025, and the 10th MMCA in September 2025 with Australia and the United States. Aside from these initiatives, port visits are regularly conducted, such as that of HMCS Ottawa (2025) and HMCS Vancouver (in 2022 and 2023).
Another key aspect of Philippine-Canada relations is their status as maritime nations, an area that holds significant potential for further collaboration. Canada has the longest coastline in the world, measuring 244,000 km, while the Philippines, also an archipelagic state, has about 36,000 km of coastline. Both countries face similar maritime challenges, and can therefore learn from each other in tackling issues like illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF), and smuggling. In addressing these challenges, both countries view that a whole-of-nation approach is essential. For its part, Canada has its Maritime Security Strategic Framework, first published in 2011 and updated in 2020, which could serve as a model for the Philippines as it develops its own national maritime security strategy.[15] Regular dialogues between the two are conducted through the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC); the seventh JCBC was held in February 2026. More importantly, the inaugural maritime dialogue was conducted in January 2026.[16]
On maritime cooperation, Canada has supported the Philippines in its maritime domain awareness (MDA) programme through the provision of access to the Dark Vessel Detection system at the National Maritime Center. This aids the detection of vessels that have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals while out at sea to conceal activities. This is most useful in identifying illegal and aggressive activities within the country’s maritime zones. Importantly, Canada provided this technology free of charge for five years since its signing in 2023.[17]
The DVD programme is under the office of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and is designed to identify IUUF using satellite technology.[18] Aside from the Philippines, Ecuador, Taiwan and 15 Pacific Island states also receive access to the DVD platform. The programme is part of Canada’s IPS, which established the Shared Ocean Fund, worth CAD 84.3 million in investments over five years.[19] The fund is aimed at supporting ocean management, and reinforcing a healthy marine environment through support against IUUF.[20] Furthermore, the programme is part of Canada’s commitment made at the 2018 G7 Ministerial Meeting in Nova Scotia to invest CAD 11.6 million to combat IUUF. [21]
Operations in the maritime domain are complemented by air surveillance operations. In November 2024, Operation Bantay Lawud was launched by Canada’s fisheries department and the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, when they conducted a two-week air surveillance over the Philippines’ maritime area.[22] The flight was aboard Canada’s Dash-8 surveillance aircraft and completed 70 hours of flight time, spotting 88 possible IUUF violations.
On top of the efforts in IUUF, Canada also participated in multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCA) in the Philippines. It joined the MMCA in June 2024 with Japan and the United States, another one in August 2024 with Australia and the United States, the 7th MMCA with the United States in February 2025, and the 10th MMCA in September 2025 with Australia and the United States. Aside from these initiatives, port visits are regularly conducted, such as that of HMCS Ottawa (2025) and HMCS Vancouver (in 2022 and 2023).
NEW AVENUES FOR COOPERATION
As security challenges grow increasingly complex, both Canada and the Philippines are poised to expand their cooperation beyond traditional defence engagements. In July 2025, the visit of Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker, Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, to Manila for a high-level cyber working group underscored the rising importance of cybersecurity in bilateral relations.[23] With rapid advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, Canada’s cyber expertise offers valuable support to the Philippines, particularly in enhancing maritime domain awareness and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Furthermore, coast guard cooperation between the two countries is a potential point for further collaboration.
This evolving partnership also reflects a broader vision. As highlighted by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo in his keynote address to the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada in May 2024, the two countries can collaborate on climate action and disaster resilience.[24] Emerging areas that can be explored include digitalisation, food, renewable energy, critical minerals, and outer space, among others. The intent is to cultivate Canada as a valuable confidante for the Philippines – one whose engagement complements broader regional efforts, rather than serving as a reactive alternative to evolving dynamics between the United States and China.
Anchored in strong diplomatic, military, and trade relations, the Philippines-Canada relations continue to mature with purpose. The challenge ahead lies not only in deepening existing initiatives but also in unlocking new avenues of cooperation and in transforming shared values into tangible progress for both nations.
As security challenges grow increasingly complex, both Canada and the Philippines are poised to expand their cooperation beyond traditional defence engagements. In July 2025, the visit of Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker, Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command, to Manila for a high-level cyber working group underscored the rising importance of cybersecurity in bilateral relations.[23] With rapid advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, Canada’s cyber expertise offers valuable support to the Philippines, particularly in enhancing maritime domain awareness and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Furthermore, coast guard cooperation between the two countries is a potential point for further collaboration.
This evolving partnership also reflects a broader vision. As highlighted by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo in his keynote address to the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada in May 2024, the two countries can collaborate on climate action and disaster resilience.[24] Emerging areas that can be explored include digitalisation, food, renewable energy, critical minerals, and outer space, among others. The intent is to cultivate Canada as a valuable confidante for the Philippines – one whose engagement complements broader regional efforts, rather than serving as a reactive alternative to evolving dynamics between the United States and China.
Anchored in strong diplomatic, military, and trade relations, the Philippines-Canada relations continue to mature with purpose. The challenge ahead lies not only in deepening existing initiatives but also in unlocking new avenues of cooperation and in transforming shared values into tangible progress for both nations.
CONCLUSION
In ever-changing times, a country needs a reliable and trusted partner with which it can advocate for a rules-based international order. That is Canada for the Philippines. Through Canada’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, diplomatic, military, trade, and people-to-people ties continue to gain momentum. To further boost this promising collaboration, the Philippines and Canada could tap into their status and capabilities as maritime nations to explore cooperation in joint maritime activities, maritime governance, and fisheries.
With Canada’s IPS, the Philippines should continue to engage with Canada over the next 75 years; their bilateral relations have proven to be resilient to leadership changes and reliable in the face of global challenges. The future of Philippine and Canadian relations remains bright.
For endnotes, please refer to the original pdf document.
In ever-changing times, a country needs a reliable and trusted partner with which it can advocate for a rules-based international order. That is Canada for the Philippines. Through Canada’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, diplomatic, military, trade, and people-to-people ties continue to gain momentum. To further boost this promising collaboration, the Philippines and Canada could tap into their status and capabilities as maritime nations to explore cooperation in joint maritime activities, maritime governance, and fisheries.
With Canada’s IPS, the Philippines should continue to engage with Canada over the next 75 years; their bilateral relations have proven to be resilient to leadership changes and reliable in the face of global challenges. The future of Philippine and Canadian relations remains bright.
For endnotes, please refer to the original pdf document.
This article was published by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
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