22 October 2025 – Canadian Ambassador David Hartman described the Philippines as “a longstanding friend and key ally in the Indo-Pacific” during the fourth meeting of MBC’s Foreign Leaders Series. “Canada deeply values its relationship with the Philippines . . . Through people- to-people linkages which are the backbone of our relationship, we are laying the foundation for future shared prosperity”, he said.

The Ambassador’s keynote covered bilateral merchandise trade in 2024 that totaled CAD$ 3.1 billion, with Canada investing CAD$ 844 million in the Philippines, which reciprocated with CAD$ 48 million in investments. Canada also opened its first Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila in February 2024. Finally, the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is currently in concluding negotiations, while Canada is discussing a parallel bilateral FTA with the Philippine government.

Ambassador Hartman highlighted “that both our countries agree on the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the efforts of both Canada and the Philippines to uphold the rules-based international order. . . . From infrastructure and agri-food to clean technologies and security, we complement one another in very fundamental ways.”

In his welcome remarks, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua noted Canada’s interest in renewables, agriculture, and information technology; expressed hope that Philippine anti-corruption investigations would improve governance; and invited businessmen from both countries to explore collaboration in new industries.

55 Executives and diplomats attended the meeting, together with European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro, MBC Chairman Edgar Chua and Executive Director Apa Ongpin, and Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Christopher Ilagan who moderated the open discussion.

MBC’s Foreign Leaders Series features ambassadors and foreign dignitaries as keynote speakers, providing insights on trade, investment, social issues, and geopolitical developments. Previous speakers included H.E. Lai Thai Binh, the Ambassador of Vietnam to the Philippines; H.E. Endo Kazuya, the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines; and H.E. Massimo Santoro, the Ambassador of the EU to the Philippines.

This series was made possible through the support of SGV & Co.