President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Vancouver on Wednesday (Canada time) for an official visit to Canada as part of an intensified campaign to diversify the Philippines’ partnerships with like-minded nations.

The plane carrying the President and the members of his delegation touched down at Vancouver International Airport at 4:46 pm, Wednesday, Canada time (7:46 a.m., Thursday, Philippine Time).

Among those who welcomed Marcos were Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Consul General Gina Jamoralin, and Defense attaché to Washington Brig. Gen Ray Anthony Derillo.

Marcos underscored the need to strengthen ties with Canada, the Philippines’s longstanding friend and partner, as the two nations navigate the shared challenges they face as Pacific nations.

High on the agenda during the visit are trade, defense, and maritime cooperation, people-to-people ties, as well as enhanced air links.

Specifically, the President said in his departure statement that the visit will build on the “very positive trajectory as we pursue new collaborations in niche areas, such as mining, critical minerals, and renewable energy.”

Marcos is expected to have a one-on-one meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, as the chief executive is set to outline the broad strokes of a Plan of Action to shape the next phase of bilateral relations and ensure sustained growth.

The President is also meeting Canadian businesses to deepen business and investment relations aimed at increasing two-way trade and attracting Canada’s economic players to invest in mining, information technology-business process management (IT-BPM), nuclear energy, telecommunications, cyber technology, and financial services, among others.

While in British Columbia, the President, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, will meet with the Filipino community.

There are around one million Filipinos in Canada who are well respected and sought after for their skills, professionalism, and dedication.

Among the top officials who joined the President for the Official Visit to Canada were Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, and Communications Secretary Dave Gomez.

The visit marks the first official visit of a Philippine president to Canada in more than a decade. The two nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. Presidential News Desk