President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Mark Carney sealed a new chapter in Philippines-Canada relations as the two countries signed a historic labor agreement focused on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
First Federal Bilateral Agreement Signed
The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Canada’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC Canada) signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Labor and Migration Cooperation on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac described the JDI as the first-ever federal bilateral agreement on labor and migration with Canada. “The declaration is more than a diplomatic milestone. It is a concrete step toward making overseas employment safer, fairer, and more accessible for Filipino workers and their families,” he said in a statement.
Framework for Ethical Recruitment
The JDI establishes a shared framework with Canada’s federal government outlining principles to guide cross-border labor migration. While the Philippines already has separate labor agreements with several Canadian provinces, this is the first time a framework exists at the federal level.
Key commitments include the principle that workers and jobseekers should not be charged recruitment fees or related costs by employers. The JDI also underscores fair and ethical recruitment and employment practices, as well as access to information on workers’ rights and grievance mechanisms.
Impact on OFWs in Canada
An estimated 20,000 OFWs are currently based in Canada. The agreement aims to strengthen protection and recruitment of these workers, ensuring legal migration pathways and adherence to laws of both countries.
Cacdac emphasized that the declaration reaffirms both nations’ commitment to promoting legal migration and ensuring that recruitment and deployment are governed by Philippine and Canadian regulations.
