Canada-Mexico Relations Fray Over Visa Requirement

Strategic Insights -

As the North American Leaders' Summit begins in Guadalajara, Mexico, tensions between Canada and Mexico have intensified over the visa requirement imposed by the Canadian government on Mexican visitors. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the decision, citing an increase in illegitimate refugee claims and the need for Parliament to address the issue. Harper emphasized that the visa requirement is a result of Canadian legislation, not a reflection on the Calderon government. "This is a problem of Canadian law, which encourages bogus claimants," Harper said.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian government has imposed a visa requirement on Mexican visitors due to an increase in illegitimate refugee claims.
  • Prime Minister Harper stated that the issue is a result of Canadian legislation and not a fault of the Calderon government.
  • The Canadian government is spending "an enormous amount of money" dealing with illegitimate claims, which "can't continue."
  • Harper emphasized that MPs will have to fix the busted Canadian refugee system before Ottawa can reverse its decision to slap visa requirements on Mexicans.
  • The Prime Minister expressed hope that Parliament will take advantage of the attention to deal with the problem and address the issue.
  • Canada is increasing funding to train Mexico's police force to combat the growing transnational crime problem.
  • The RCMP will offer training programs to hundreds of Mexican federal police, including senior officers.
  • The three leaders will discuss cooperative efforts to fight the expected upsurge in swine flu cases this fall.

Statistics:

  • 11,000 lives claimed in Mexico's drug war since the government launched a campaign against the narcotics cartels in 2006.
  • $400,000 allocated by Canada to train Mexico's police force, out of a $15 million-a-year fund set up in the 2009 federal budget to combat crime in the Americas.
  • Approximately 400 people marched outside the summit to protest the effects of free trade and demand benefits for retired Mexican labourers.

Sources:

  • The Canadian Press
  • Associated Press