NEW PH ENVOY TO CANADA ARRIVES IN OTTAWA

Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada

Philippine Embassy personnel with Philippine Ambassador-Designate to Canada Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, spouse Ms. Lorna R. Chan-Gonzaga and son Inigo Joachim (seated) (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada)

21 July 2025, Ottawa – Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga arrived in Canada today as the Philippines’ new ambassador to Canada.

He was accompanied by spouse Mme. Lorna R. Chan-Gonzaga and son Inigo Joachim.

(right photo) Philippine Ambassador-Designate to Canada, H.E. Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, was warmly welcomed by the Heads of Mission of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa; (left photo) at the center for the ASEAN traditional unity handshake. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada)

Ambassador-designate Chan-Gonzaga was met at the airport by the Philippine Embassy team and the esteemed Heads of Mission (HOM) of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO).

During the brief introductory conversation with the ACO HOMs, Ambassador-Designate Chan-Gonzaga expressed his gratitude for the gracious welcome and expressed his commitment to strengthening Philippine-Canada relations and collaborating with ASEAN counterparts in Ottawa.

Ambassador-Designate Chan-Gonzaga is a seasoned Filipino diplomat with over 25 years in the Department of Foreign Affairs. He has held key roles in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, including postings in Washington, D.C. and at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva. In Manila, he led treaty negotiations and legal policy development in various senior positions.

He holds a Master of Laws in International Law from Columbia University (Fulbright and Bretzfelder Fellow), and a Juris Doctor and BA from Ateneo de Manila University.

Philippine Embassy personnel with Philippine Ambassador-Designate to Canada Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, spouse Ms. Lorna R. Chan-Gonzaga and son Inigo Joachim (seated) (Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada)

The new Ambassador brings with him a wealth of diplomatic experience and a deep commitment to public service. His appointment ensures the continued deepening of Philippines-Canada relations, and the accessible and efficient service to the Filipino diaspora in the country.

Ambassador-designate Chan-Gonzaga succeeds former Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria whose tour of duty in Canada was completed on 16 June 2025.