By Liz Lagniton | 2026-07-14

Canada has reaffirmed its support for the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling while elevating ties with the Philippines to a Strategic Partnership, underscoring growing alignment between the two countries in upholding a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.

During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Canada in early July, he and Prime Minister Mark Carney committed to closer cooperation in defense, maritime security and economic engagement.

The Strategic Partnership makes Canada the Philippines' newest strategic partner, joining Japan, Australia, South Korea, India and Vietnam.

Canada is among a growing number of the Philippines' partners to publicly reaffirm the July 12, 2016, court decision as Manila boosts defense cooperation with like-minded countries.

Speaking after talks with Marcos in Vancouver on July 2, Carney reiterated Canada's support for the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It invalidated China's sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"We absolutely uphold and squarely back the decisions of 2016 that are directly relevant to the territorial waters and activities of the Philippines," Carney said.

Canada's position reflects the role that middle powers can play in reinforcing the international rules-based order through closer cooperation with trusted partners, he said.

Strategic Partnership

Marcos welcomed Ottawa's continued support for the ruling and the rules-based maritime order.

He thanked Canada for backing the Philippines' position in the South China Sea, saying Ottawa has provided "vocal and consistent support" for a rules-based order under UNCLOS and for the arbitral award as "final and legally binding."

The leaders pledged greater defense cooperation following a series of agreements concluded over the past two years.

"We recognize that robust defense and security cooperation underpins the strong momentum of our relations," Marcos said.

Canada expects to ratify an agreement on visiting forces soon, said Carney. If enacted, it will provide the legal framework for the two countries' armed forces to conduct more joint training, exercises and other military engagements.

"It has to be underpinned, reinforced by shared security. And that's why we're deepening our collaboration in … maritime security and in multinational military operations," Carney said.

The two governments agreed on more maritime cooperation after holding their inaugural Maritime Dialogue earlier this year. Marcos described Canada's growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific as "a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region."

The leaders discussed Canada's Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) program, which has helped enhance the Philippines' maritime domain awareness. Marcos said he "conveyed keen interest in the continuation of the DVD program in Philippine waters."

Countries sharing common values must continue working together to address evolving security challenges while upholding international law, he said.

Defense cooperation

The Strategic Partnership builds on steadily burgeoning defense and security ties between Manila and Ottawa. Since 2024, the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, while the pact on status of visiting forces, which officials signed in Manila last November, awaits ratification.

The two sides concluded a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and a Statement of Intent on Strengthening Defense Cooperation during Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.'s visit to Ottawa in June.

The growing defense relationship rests on a shared commitment to international law, including the arbitral award.

Beijing has rejected the decision, but it remains the legal foundation of the Philippines' position in the West Philippine Sea and receives backing from a growing number of partner countries.

Marcos said growing geopolitical uncertainty has made closer cooperation among like-minded countries increasingly necessary to uphold international law and regional stability.

At a July 10 forum marking the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling, Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit said the anniversary should serve as a reminder that the ruling remains relevant to Philippine policy.

"Ten years ago, the Philippines proved to the world that the law can hold against power. The next 10 years will prove something closer to home: whether we can hold what we won," he said.