In November this year, the Philippines hosted the 31st meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). As Canadian senators—one who served as head of the Canadian delegation to the APPF, and another who is of Philippine heritage—we would like to congratulate our host country for its warm welcome, friendly hospitality, and excellent hosting of this important international gathering of parliamentarians.
At the APPF, the Philippines demonstrated its capacity and capability to be a leading voice in discussions related to the Indo-Pacific region. Our delegation was pleased to have an exchange with our Filipino counterparts, and together highlight the importance and strength of the bilateral relationship between Canada and the Philippines, and provide our personal support to ongoing work by our respective governments to further build upon these ties.
In this era of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and repeated challenges to international law and the rights of sovereign states, it is essential that like-minded countries work together to ensure the maintenance of a rules-based international order, freedom of navigation and of safe passage, the security of supply chains and trade routes, the responsible and sustainable management of maritime resources, collaborative action to combat climate change, and the use of peaceful means to settle interstate disputes. Canada has taken steps to reinforce Philippine maritime domain awareness, promote increased trade and investment, and deepen our cooperation in defense and security. These actions demonstrate the recognized value of our bilateral relationship and the importance of nurturing and growing it.
In our discussions with leading lawmakers in the Philippines, we have been comforted that these values and priorities are shared, and thus provide a solid foundation for further cooperation between our two countries. We are also cognizant that our shared resolve to defend our common values and interests provides opportunities to build productive partnerships with a wider network of like-minded states across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Working together, our countries can help enhance the safety, security, and well-being of our people.
Trade relations between our two countries remain strong, with the Philippines well-positioned as a dynamic economy in Southeast Asia and is on track to achieve upper middle-income status within the next few years. The February 2023 inauguration of the Canada-Philippines Joint Economic Commission will advance our mutually beneficial trade and investment interests.
In November 2022, the Government of Canada unveiled its Indo-Pacific strategy, demonstrating its resolve to invest in partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries, including the Philippines. It is in recognition of the importance of the Canada-Philippines relationship that Canada has chosen to open its Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila. We are both personally pleased that the Canada-Philippines relationship is moving on a track that will strengthen the ties between our countries and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
We are both committed to working with our Filipino counterparts to uphold democracy, protect democratic institutions, defend fundamental human rights, and further strengthen the people-to-people ties that underpin the dynamic Canada-Philippines relationship. Strengthening the people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines positively contributes to the growth of both our societies and countries. According to Canada’s 2021 census, almost one million citizens of Philippine origin live in Canada, which means that one in 40 people in Canada has Filipino roots. There is also a growing number of Filipino citizens who visits family and friends in Canada, study in Canadian colleges and universities, or immigrate to Canada.
In return, a significant number of Canadians visits the Philippines each year for tourism, work, and to visit family. In March 2023, a new application processing center opened in Canada’s embassy in Manila to help boost the immigration process. The new center is supported by 37 new employees and is part of ongoing efforts to improve client service; the center supports Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and helps achieve Canada’s planned increase in immigration level over the coming years.
Next year marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Philippines. We both look forward to future visits to develop and expand our parliamentary ties, and to welcoming our Filipino counterparts to Canada to further the constructive collaboration between our two countries and our people.
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Sen. Stanley Kutcher and Sen. Flordeliz “Gigi” Osler were recently in Manila as part of the Canadian delegation to the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum.