JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed confidence that there will be no obstacles as the Philippines boosts its relations with Canada.

Marcos said this during his bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits here on Sept. 6.

In his remarks, the President said Filipinos praised how the "Canadian society has been open and warm and hospitable to them."

"We would like to return the favor and we would like very much to promote this increased relationship," he said.

He expressed confidence about the "deepening" relationship between the two countries.

"I need not hope because I am very optimistic about the future and I cannot see any obstacles to our continuing and deepening relations between our two countries," he said.

"Now, beyond the people-to-people relationship, there are so many developments going on as we have discussed before that really require the attention of everyone," he added.

For his part, Trudeau said he was excited about the future of the Philippines-Canada ties.

"[There are] lots of reasons for us to be incredibly positive in our relations but lots more to do together, and I really look forward to it," he said.

The Canadian Prime Minister lauded Filipinos in Canada and described the Filipino-Canadian diaspora as vibrant and important to his country's growth.

Trudeau also invited Marcos to visit Canada next year in time for the 75th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

"Next year we’re celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and we will be celebrating. But the reality is the trade and economic ties between our two countries continue to grow," he said.

"The opportunities and investment, the flow of people back and forth as well is strong, and the Filipino-Canadian diaspora is incredibly important to all of us and they are vibrantly contributing to our country and to a range of things, particularly on small businesses," he added.

In June 2023, Canada extended its visa-free entry program to qualified Filipinos, particularly those who have valid US visas or those who have been issued a Canadian visa in the last 10 years.