July 23, 2026
Canada’s Partnership with the Philippines Must Reflect Canadian Values and Human Rights
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP Canada) is deeply concerned about the direction of Canada’s expanding partnership with the Philippines. As Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand meets with Philippine and ASEAN officials in Manila and announces more than $10 million in new initiatives to strengthen Canada’s partnership with ASEAN, including efforts to combat financial crime, protect children from exploitation, support migrant workers, and advance women’s leadership, we urge your government to ensure that these commitments are matched by concrete action on human rights, democratic accountability, and peace.
We welcome initiatives that promote the protection of people and communities. However, Canada’s engagement with the Philippines must address the serious and persistent human rights concerns documented by international human rights organizations and United Nations experts, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, red-tagging, attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, intimidation of trade unionists, harassment of Indigenous Peoples, and violence against environmental and community defenders.
The recently established Canada–Philippines Strategic Partnership places significant emphasis on defence and security, trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, and other economic interests. Yet there are no comparable, enforceable commitments to human rights protections, independent oversight, and democratic accountability.
Canada cannot credibly promote human rights and democratic governance while expanding military, security, and economic cooperation with institutions facing credible allegations of serious human rights violations without meaningful safeguards and accountability.
We are particularly concerned about the deepening military relationship between Canada and the Philippines, including expanded defence cooperation, military exercises, and proposed arrangements such as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA). In light of persistent concerns over human rights violations, corruption, and impunity, ICHRP Canada reiterates its opposition to expanding military cooperation without credible human rights safeguards and independent accountability mechanisms.
We are equally concerned that increased Canadian economic engagement, including in mining, energy, and critical minerals, could come at the expense of communities and the environment. Canadian companies operating in the Philippines must respect internationally recognized human rights and environmental standards and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
Labour mobility must likewise protect the rights and dignity of migrant workers, promote decent work and fair wages, and address—not deepen—the conditions that drive people to leave their communities in search of economic security.
We therefore call on the Government of Canada to:
- Establish clear and measurable human rights benchmarks for military, security, development, and economic cooperation;
- Ensure independent monitoring, transparency, and accountability for Canadian-supported programs and military cooperation;
- Strengthen anti-corruption safeguards and prevent Canadian public funds and investments from reinforcing impunity;
- Hold Canadian companies accountable for human rights and environmental impacts arising from their overseas operations;
- Protect human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, environmental defenders, and community leaders; and
- Suspend support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines until credible safeguards are in place to prevent Canadian cooperation from contributing to human rights violations.
Prime Minister, a strong Canada–Philippines relationship should be measured not only by increased trade, investment, or security cooperation, but by whether it advances peace with justice, strengthens democratic institutions, protects human rights and Indigenous rights, upholds international law, safeguards the environment, and improves the lives of ordinary people.
As Minister Anand carries out Canada’s engagement in Manila, we urge your government to listen not only to state and business interests, but also to human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples, workers, environmental advocates, journalists, and communities affected by government policies and economic projects.
Canada’s strategic partnerships must not come at the expense of human rights. We urge you, Prime Minister Carney, to ensure that Canada’s partnership with the Philippines reflects the best of Canadian values: human dignity, democracy, accountability, justice, and lasting peace.
Sincerely,
International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP Canada)