11 October 2023, Ottawa - The Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, organized a panel discussion on why Canadians should pay attention to the South China Sea issue. Speakers from the Philippine and Canadian governments, academe, and business community talked about Canada’s stake in the region in terms of food security, energy security,  marine biodiversity, maritime security, and international commerce. The discussions revealed that the South China Sea is a region that Canada, as a Pacific country, could not afford to ignore, and that it should work with all stakeholders in the region towards sustainable use and conservation of marine resources and the maintenance of a rules-based maritime order.

In her opening remarks, visiting Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro stated that the Philippines and Canada share the common interest in keeping the seas of the Indo-Pacific safe, secure, and peaceful through a rules based international maritime order. She expressed appreciation to Canada’s steadfast support, in words and in action, for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

The MacDonald-Laurier Institute is an independent think-tank in Canada covering domestic and international issues that affect Canada and Canadians.