VANCOUVER, Canada — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday (Friday in Manila) said his official visit to Canada comes at a timely moment as Ottawa expands its engagement in the Indo-Pacific and across Asia.
Marcos made the remark during a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
"It is a timely visit because of the increasing engagement of Canada, not only in the Indo-Pacific but in Asia in general. Those are elements that we hope to further discuss," Marcos said.
The President also cited the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries, noting that the number of Filipinos living and working in Canada is nearing one million.
"We work from a very solid basis in our people-to-people relations, and the growing number of Filipinos who work and live in Canada are approaching a million now. That is a very firm basis because of the way Filipinos have been accepted and assimilated into Canadian society, and for that we are very grateful," Marcos said.
"That is what we hope to build on and make stronger and deeper after this visit," he added.
Carney, meanwhile, expressed Canada's commitment to expanding defense, security, and economic cooperation with the Philippines.
During the meeting, the Canadian prime minister praised Marcos' leadership as this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), describing the Philippines as "a trailblazer" that shares Canada's values and commitment to peace and prosperity.
"I also should mention the deep cultural tie and what we've benefited from your great nation and how we will continue to benefit," Carney said.
"And one of the things that we will focus on is how to tighten those ties," he added, referring to defense, security, and economic cooperation between Canada and the Philippines.
