Mr. Speaker, I rise to table two petitions.
The first petition was initiated by members of the group Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, who have brought to my attention many concerns.
Canada signed the Canada-Philippines status of visiting forces agreement and subsequently committed to over $60 million in security and development assistance to the Government of the Philippines. Canada has policies and commitments that uphold the protection of human rights, gender equality, transparency and accountability, including the voices at risk guidelines and the feminist international assistance policy. By entering into the status of visiting forces agreement, the Government of Canada risks binding our country's reputation to a military establishment accused of corruption and systemic human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings of journalists, union members and indigenous peoples, which violates the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
As of November 2025, the Philippines holds 696 prisoners of conscience, who are subjected to human rights violations and inhumane prison conditions. Continued Canadian support of and co-operation with the Government of the Philippines contributes to more human rights violations, which undermines Canada's stated commitments to peace, democracy and the protection of human rights worldwide.
The petitioners therefore call on the government to conduct a transparent public review of the SOVFA's human rights, corruption and governance implications; suspend or reject the agreement, as it cannot guarantee accountability, civilian oversight and compliance with Canada's human rights obligations; call for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience in the Philippines and urge the Philippine government to end the criminalization of human rights defenders; and finally, reaffirm Canada's independent commitment to peace, human rights and democracy by engaging with peoples and civil society organizations in the Philippines, not through military pacts.