Rideau Hall, Thursday, May 7, 2015

It’s an honour and a great pleasure for my wife, Sharon, and me to welcome you to Rideau Hall, home of the people of Canada.

This is your first visit to Canada, yet I was delighted to see that you are forging somewhat of a family tradition. Your mother visited this nation in 1989, the first president of the Philippines to conduct a State visit. More than 25 years later, we are pleased to greet you in the same spirit of friendship and co-operation. 

I was so touched this afternoon to watch as you planted a tree beside the one planted by your mother. With the exception of those planted by our beloved Queen and her children, this is, in fact, a first at Rideau Hall. Nowhere else on the grounds will you find two generations of trees—planted by parent and child, mother and son—standing side by side. I have no doubt that your tree will thrive and grow tall and strong, as your mother’s tree has done.

What a wonderful metaphor for our countries’ relationship!

At first glance, Canada and the Philippines may look like a study in contrasts, but in fact our two countries have much in common.

Perhaps foremost among these are our people-to-people ties, which are so very strong. Over the past few decades, Canada’s Filipino community has grown from a modest one to one of our country’s largest communities.

In fact, Canada is now home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the world, with well over half a million people tracing their roots to the Philippines.

Canadians of Filipino origin contribute so much to our society in so many ways. What’s more, they bring our countries closer together.

With such a strong base, there are so many ways to grow our relationship.

Take our ties in education, for instance. A growing numbers of Filipino students are coming here to learn. More than 2 000 in 2013 alone.

This is cause for celebration. Students from the Philippines make great contributions to Canadian society during their time here. Canadian students are also able to learn a great deal from their colleagues and classmates from the Philippines.

As a former university leader and a lifelong learner myself, I am encouraged by such exchanges. We gain so much when we practice what I like to call the diplomacy of knowledge, which is all about learning and innovating across borders—and oceans!

I also want to say how pleased I am to note the steady growth in our commercial ties, no doubt strengthened by our people-to-people ties. Bilateral trade reached an impressive $1.8 billion in 2014, a 2.5 percent increase over the previous year.

Despite the vast distances that physically separate our two countries, we share democratic values and work together in many international fora. Canada appreciates the Philippines’ leadership in Southeast Asia, as well as your country’s support for Canada’s efforts in the region.

As you know, Canada aims to support the Philippines through a variety of programs and responses. We are good friends and partners, working together to provide humanitarian assistance, development aid, sustainable economic growth, improved investment climate, and more opportunities for underprivileged men and women.

Together we are on the right track, but I’m sure that you will agree there is so much more we can do to work together.

Your visit goes a long way toward advancing the relationship between Canada and the Philippines. Thank you and the members of your delegation once again for coming.

Now, let us raise a glass to the many ties that bind our two countries in friendship.

To Canada and the Philippines!