Canada is seeing strengthened ties with the Philippines in the fields of defense, trade and investment, environment, climate change and human rights over the coming years.
David Bruce Hartman, the new ambassador of Canada to the Philippines who replaced James Peter MacArthur, made the pronouncement as he presented his credentials to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday night.
In meeting with the chief executive, Hartman highlighted the unlimited potential of the Philippine-Canada bilateral relationship as both countries "are bound by extensive people-to-people ties" and are committed "to peace and stability, democracy and rules-based international order."

The fight against climate change, poverty, economic downturn and food insecurity are also shared by both countries, he added.
The diplomat then cited the Filipino contributions to Canadian society as they were recognized for their "hard work, diligence and warmth."
"The bridge these ties have built span the Pacific, setting the stage for the continued growth of the Canada-Philippines bilateral relationship," Hartman said.
The future of the two countries "is one filled with opportunity," Hartman asserted as he noted of Canada's launching of its new Indo-Pacific Strategy, which identified the Philippines as "a key partner."
Before his appointment, Hartman served as director general of Global Affairs Canada's South Asia Bureau. He also served as executive director of the same agency's division in Greater China.
Hartman, who has a master's degree in History from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor's degree from Queen's University, joined Canada's foreign service in 1998.
He took up a public sector and governance program at the University of Ottawa and a management and leadership program at the University of Oxford.