Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talks with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (not pictured) during their bilateral meeting at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, September 6, 2023. (AFP)
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday invited President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to visit Canada to commemorate the two nations’ 75-year-long diplomatic relations, Malacanang announced on Wednesday.
Marcos had a bilateral meeting with Trudeau during the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Jakarta.
“Next year, we are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. It will be celebrated. But the reality is the trade ties, economic ties between our countries continue to grow, the opportunities for investment, and the flow of people back and forth as well. The Filipino-Canadian diaspora is incredibly important to all of us,” Trudeau told Marcos.
In turn, Marcos said he was glad to meet with Trudeau for the third time.
“We cannot have discussions without mentioning the diaspora, the Philippine diaspora, to Canada. And I noted during our Independence Day, all these celebrations being held officially by local governments around Canada for the Philippines, as a celebration of Philippine culture, a celebration of Philippine independence, was really indicative of how well they have assimilated themselves into places and into your society,” President Marcos said.
Neither Marcos nor the Palace, however, have confirmed the President visit to Canada next year.