Taipei: Former President Tsai Ing-wen will head to Canada on Wednesday to address the annual summit of the Halifax International Security Forum (HISF), her office said in a statement Monday. Tsai will give a speech at the forum, being held from November 22 to 24, to demonstrate the strong desire of Taiwan's people to safeguard freedom and democracy, the statement said.According to Focus Taiwan, Tsai's office spokesperson, Tsai Shu-ching, highlighted that "freedom and democracy are the best honors Taiwan can use to stand tall in the world," citing the former president's remarks from 2021 when she was awarded the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service by the HISF. The forum will gather hundreds of international government and military officials, academic experts, and entrepreneurs to enhance strategic cooperation among democratic countries and address pressing global security issues.Tsai Ing-wen's upcoming trip to Canada follows her recent European tour, during which she visited the Czech Republ ic, France, and Belgium, meeting with foreign parliamentarians and officials. This series of international engagements underscores Taiwan's ongoing efforts to strengthen its global presence and reinforce its commitment to democratic values.