The Government of Canada announced in a press release today, “that it has made it a top priority to re-establish and strengthen our relationship with one of our most important partners, Mexico.” Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s intention to lift the visa requirement for Mexican visitors beginning December 1st this year.

The announcement came during a productive two-day State visit to Canada by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Certainly lifting the visa requirement will deepen the ties between Canada and Mexico again, and will increase the flow of travelers, ideas, and joint business ventures between both countries.

Canada and Mexico both understand the importance of having a productive and respective (and respectful) relationship – one that allows for greater trade, stronger growth, and more clean job creation.

A concept the Harper government had failed to recognize when they passed the legislation in early 2013 requiring Mexican citizens to have a visa before visiting – thus ending the good relationship the two countries previously nurtured.

The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada said, “Canada is pleased to deliver on the government’s commitment to lift the visa requirement for Mexican nationals. We look forward to the social and economic benefits that lifting the visa requirement will bring to both countries, especially to the middle class here in Canada.”

• Canadian officials are currently working with their Mexican counterparts on final details to ensure a successful visa lift. This includes expanding existing collaboration and cooperation on migration issues – with the goal of ensuring that the benefits of the visa lift are fully maximized by both countries.
• Until November 30, 2016, the visa requirement is still in place for Mexico. Additional information will be provided to Mexican citizens in advance of the visa lift – so that they can experience a seamless transition to visa-free travel.

At the conclusion of President Enrique Peña Nieto visit to Canada, the Prime Minister’s Office released the following statement today:

Through this visit, Canada has renewed its close ties with Mexico, one of our most valued partners in the hemisphere. Both leaders agreed that, while collaboration between our countries is already extensive, now is the time to do more – to bring our students together, to deepen our business relationships, and to create sustainable economic growth for all of our people.

During their bilateral meeting, the Prime Minister announced the lifting of the visa requirement for Mexican visitors. This important step will strengthen the ties between Canada and Mexico and will increase the flow of travellers, ideas, and business between both countries.

The two leaders also witnessed a historic signing of a memorandum of understanding on Indigenous cooperation that will allow our countries to share their experiences, their knowledge, and their best practices – all to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Mexico.

Moving forward, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Peña Nieto made a commitment to work in close cooperation to grow our cultural connections, expand our growing trade and investment relationship, and find solutions to the shared challenges of climate change.

Canada and Mexico both understand how important it is to have a productive and respectful relationship – one that allows for greater trade, stronger growth, and more clean job creation.

Justin Trudeau said of the meetings, “President Peña Nieto and I came together these past two days in a spirit of friendship and respect to deepen the relationship between our two great countries. Canada and Mexico are more than just friends – we are partners – and the agreements we reached today will spark the exchange of more travellers, goods, and ideas between our countries than ever before.”

PMO Quick Facts

1. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent to increase the exchange of information on development, as well as collaboration in the field in Central America and the Caribbean. Areas of interest will include, among others, women and girls, climate change, vector-borne diseases, and disaster preparedness and response.
2. During a discussion with Canadian and Mexican youth, the two leaders announced many new education partnerships between Canada and Mexico that will enhance two-way student and research exchange opportunities, and allow for closer collaboration on innovation and technology.
3. Canada and Mexico are each other’s third-largest trading partners, and bilateral trade between the two countries, valued at $37.8 billion in 2015, continues to grow annually.
4. By some estimates, Mexico’s economy will rival Britain and France within 15 years. Its middle class is one of the world’s fastest growing.
5. Canada welcomes the decision by Mexico to lift its outstanding restrictions on Canadian beef and beef products by October 2016.

You can read their joint statement here on the Prime Minister of Canada website.

Read Alistair Reign’s article covering the North American Leaders’ Summit, hosted here in Canada on June 29, 2016 in our Blog Articles section.