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. 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. In November 2025, Canada and the Philippines signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), building on the Defence Cooperation MOU concluded in January 2024, marking a new chapter in bilateral defence cooperation through enhanced engagement and collaboration.
The 7th Canada-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) was held in February 2026 in Manila. The JCBC is the primary bilateral mechanism through which Canada and the Philippines bring together senior officials to advance cooperation, review progress, and set priorities across the relationship.
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 114.1 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 4.4% GDP growth in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026.
Trade relations
In 2025, Canada-Philippines bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion (up 7.4% from $3.2 billion in 2024). Canadian merchandise exports to the Philippines in 2025 amounted to $1.1 billion ($1.4 billion in 2024), while merchandise imports from the Philippines were valued at $2.3 billion ($1.8 billion in 2024). Canada’s stock in direct investments abroad in the Philippines in 2025 was approximately $1.7 billion (up 44.0% from $1.2 billion in 2024). Bilateral trade in services was valued at $3.2 billion in 2024 (up 19.9% from $2.7 billion in 2023), of which Canadian exports to the Philippines were $2.2 billion (up 20.1% from $1.8 billion in 2023), while imports from the Philippines were $1.0 billion (up 19.5% from $867.0 million in 2023).
Canada and the Philippines are currently negotiating a free trade agreement in the context of the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Following a meeting between Prime Minister Carney and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the margins of the ASEAN Summit in 2025, Canada and the Philippines also launched negotiations on a bilateral Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement, with the goal of conclusion in 2026. Canada and the Philippines held their third Joint Economic Commission in February 2026. 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: energy, including nuclear; defence and security; agriculture and agri-food; infrastructure; mining and critical minerals; information and communications technology (ICT); clean technologies; and education. Furthermore, the TCS aims to highlight synergies between Canada’s expertise, solutions and products and the Philippines’ key priorities in energy transition (including sustainable infrastructure and digital transformation), food security, defence and security cooperation 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. In 2024-2025, Canada’s international assistance totalled $87.9 million, supporting disaster risk and resilience, energy security and transition, agricultural value-chains and food security, and health services.
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.
Canada also supports locally led projects in the Philippines through The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, which funds small, high-impact initiatives led by local organizations.
Search the Project Browser for more on Canada’s international assistance contributions in the Philippines.
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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