Canada-Philippines relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and the Philippines have maintained diplomatic relations since 1949.
The national interests of both countries align on many issues, which have resulted in regular collaboration in the multilateral system, such as the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations (UN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Our countries’ relationship is underpinned by strong people-to-people ties, as well as shared priorities, such as defence and security cooperation, maritime affairs, climate action, human rights, and economic resilience. We share a commitment to upholding democracy, sovereignty, multilateralism, and the rule of law, and work closely together to maintain international peace and security.
Ever‑increasing people‑to‑people links between Canada and the Philippines contribute to the growth of both societies. According to the latest Canadian census (2021), close to 1 million citizens of Philippine origin live in Canada, while a growing number of Filipino citizens visit family and friends in Canada, study at Canadian colleges and universities or immigrate to Canada. A significant number of Canadians visit the Philippines each year for tourism, work, and family visits. In 2023, Canada made important modifications easing visas for eligible travelers to Canada, and announced the opening of a new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office within the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. The Agriculture and Agri-Food office, which officially opened in February 2024, is supporting the further expansion of Canada’s engagement with the Philippines and the region, notably on food security, and enabling investment and trade opportunities for Canadian agri-food businesses. Most recently, in late 2024, Export Development Canada (EDC) announced the opening of a new representative office in Manila to deepen trade an investment ties between Canada and the Philippines.
Canada’s Embassy in the Philippines is located in Makati City (Metro Manila). A Canadian Honourary Consul is also located in Cebu City. The Philippines is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa and also maintains 3 Consulates General in Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. It has honorary consular offices in Halifax, Regina and Winnipeg.
Political and economic overview
Consisting of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines cover almost 300,000 square kilometres of land and has a population of approximately 113 million. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic (78.8%) with a minority Muslim population (6.4%) and a growing evangelical presence. The official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English.
The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting 5.4% GDP growth in 2025 and 5.7% in 2026.
Trade relations
In 2024, Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.2 billion ($3.4 billion in 2023). Canadian merchandise exports to the Philippines in 2024 amounted to $1.4 billion ($1.2 billion in 2023). In 2024, Canadian merchandise imports from the Philippines were valued at $1.8 billion ($2.2 billion in 2023). Canada’s stock in direct investments abroad in the Philippines in 2024 was approximately $844 million.
Canada and the Philippines are currently negotiating a free trade agreement in the context of the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations. On December 5, 2024, Canada and the Philippines also announced the launch of exploratory discussions for a potential bilateral free trade agreement. Canada and the Philippines held their second Joint Economic Commission in June 2025. This bilateral mechanism provides a useful high-level forum to advance trade and investment issues of mutual interest.
The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in the Philippines promotes Canadian technologies and solutions in the Philippines. Sectors of focus are: nuclear energy, information and communications technology (ICT), mining, infrastructure, clean technologies, agriculture and agrifood, education, climate finance, and defence and security. Furthermore, the TCS aims to highlight synergies between Canada’s expertise, solutions and products and the Philippines’ key priorities in energy security, food security and critical minerals.
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Development
Canada and the Philippines share a long-standing partnership in international assistance cooperation. Since 1986, Canada has provided over $1 billion in official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines averaging $24 million over the last 5 years.
Ongoing development challenges include persistent pockets of poverty, food insecurity, a fragile peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Since 2009, the Philippines has ranked as the most natural disaster-prone country globally (World Risk Index) and this vulnerability is increasing due to climate change.
Canada’s bilateral assistance aligns with the development priorities of the Philippines while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Specifically, Canada’s bilateral assistance focuses on:
Peace, security and inclusive governance
Canada supports the peace process in Bangsamoro by empowering women peace mediators, helping former combatants transition to civilian life, and promoting civic and peace education in conflict-affected communities.
Growth that works for everyone
Canada assists cooperatives and micro to medium-sized businesses to boost productivity, strengthen business skills, access investment, and build climate resilience, while protecting development gains.
Human dignity
Canada supports partners to improve health services and address sexual and gender-based violence. Canada is also assisting the government of the Philippines in implementing its Universal Health Care Law.
Environment and climate action
Canada supports climate focused and nature-based solutions, while contributing to the country’s clean energy transition through financing and technical assistance.
Disaster risk resilience
Canada aims to strengthen institutional resilience, invest in climate adaptation and nature-based solutions, and promote economic resilience in vulnerable communities to mitigate losses.
Search the Project Browser for more on Canada’s international assistance contributions in the Philippines.
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Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and the Philippines work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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