Canada has taken another major step in expanding its Indo-Pacific footprint, signing a new defence co-operation agreement with the Philippines aimed at strengthening regional security and deepening military collaboration.
Defence Minister David McGuinty signed the agreement during an official visit to Manila, marking a milestone in Canada’s growing strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. The deal will allow the Canadian and Philippine armed forces to conduct joint operations and exercises in each other’s territories, building on a previous memorandum that focused on military training, education, and capacity building.
“Canada values the Philippines’ vital role in Southeast Asia and remains committed to deepening our defence and security co-operation for regional stability and shared prosperity,” McGuinty said in a statement.
The Philippines, a long-standing democratic partner and one of Canada’s most important allies in the Indo-Pacific, has been at the forefront of defending international maritime law amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Both Canada and the Philippines have strongly criticized China’s aggressive maneuvers and rejection of the 2016 international arbitration ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims.
China has continued to assert control over the strategic waterway, employing water cannons and risky interception tactics against Philippine coast guard and fishing vessels. The new Canada–Philippines agreement signals Ottawa’s firm alignment with democratic partners in promoting freedom of navigation and upholding international law in the region.
The accord comes as Western allies, including Canada, are ramping up their military presence and trade initiatives across the Indo-Pacific to ensure regional stability and counterbalance Beijing’s growing influence.
The announcement followed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first formal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2017, held on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. Carney described the encounter as a “turning point” in bilateral relations, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to “work together where there is common ground” while defending Canada’s national interests.
The Carney government is also preparing to table its first federal budget on Tuesday, which is expected to feature a major boost in defence and infrastructure spending. McGuinty confirmed that the fiscal plan will lay the groundwork for Canada to meet its ambitious new NATO commitment — increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP, representing one of the most significant military funding expansions in Canadian history.
The new pact with the Philippines underscores Canada’s determination to play a larger, more assertive role in ensuring peace, stability, and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific — a region now central to both global security and economic prosperity.