President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Canada on Wednesday, July 1, for an official visit aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ ties with Canada in trade, defense, investment, and regional security.
Philippine Airlines flight PR001, which carried the President and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, landed in Vancouver at 4:46 p.m. on July 1, or 7:46 a.m. on July 2 in Manila.
Marcos’ visit, made upon the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, will run until July 3.
The President and Carney are expected to hold a bilateral meeting to discuss greater cooperation in mining, critical minerals, renewable energy, trade, investment, culture, and tourism.
Marcos is also scheduled to meet with Canadian business leaders and investors as the Philippines seeks to attract investments in strategic industries, including mining, information technology-business process management, nuclear energy, telecommunications, cyber technology, and financial services.
While in British Columbia, Marcos will also meet members of the Filipino community in Canada, which now numbers nearly one million.
The President has described Filipinos in Canada as among the Philippines’ best ambassadors, citing their role in strengthening people-to-people ties between Manila and Ottawa.