Canada–Mexico relations

Canadian–Mexican relations

Canada
Mexico
Diplomatic Mission
Embassy of Canada, Mexico City Embassy of Mexico, Ottawa

Canada–Mexico relations are relations between Canada and the United Mexican States. Although historic ties between the two nations have been coldly dormant, relations between Canada and Mexico have positively changed in recent years, seeing as both countries brokered the NAFTA. They were on different sides of the Cold War Spectrum (Canada was a member of NATO while Mexico was in the Non-Aligned Movement, though Mexico later left; the two countries were, however, allies in World War II.)

Both nations are members of the G-20 major economies, Organization of American States, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.

History

Celebrating 70 years of Canada-Mexico diplomatic relations in 2014.

Before Canada became an independent nation, there had been previous contacts between Canada and Mexico in the 1800s. Canadian made products were sold in Mexico under British companies logos.[1] Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1931; Canada delayed in establishing diplomatic relations with Mexico due to the expropriation of foreign oil companies in 1938. At the time, Canada felt obliged to follow other nations in isolating Mexico economically and diplomatically. Formal relations between the two nations did not begin until 30 January 1944, at the height of Second World War, which both countries participated in on the Allied side. In 1952, Mexico opened its first consulate-general in Montreal.[1]

The first ever reunion between leaders of both nations took place in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1956 between Mexican President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent and American President Dwight D. Eisenhower.[1] In 1959, President Adolfo López Mateos chose to visit Canada on his first official visit abroad. The visit was reciprocated by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in 1960. Since then, almost every Mexican President has visited Canada at least once and almost every Canadian Prime Minister has visited Mexico.

In 1968, a joint ministerial commission was set up by both nations to meet every two years to discuss and analyze mutual interests in promoting development and deepening bilateral relations. In 1974, an agreement was signed between both nations to allow temporary migrant workers from Mexico to work in Canada.[1]

NAFTA and since

NAFTA Initialing Ceremony, October 1992. From left to right (standing) President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, President George H. W. Bush, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. (Seated) Jaime Serra Puche, Carla Hills, Michael Wilson.

In 1990, leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States began negotiating a free trade agreement that would be known as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada had just signed a free trade agreement with the United States in 1988 (FTA) when the US, under President George H. W. Bush, began to negotiate another pact with Mexico under President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. The Canadian government under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney feared that the advantages Canada had through the Canada-US FTA would be undermined, and asked to become a party to the US-Mexican talks.[2] The result was that NAFTA replaced the previous Canada-US FTA. An agreement was reached between all three nations and NAFTA came into effect on 1 January 1994.[1] Since NAFTA has come into force, the two countries have become much more important to each other, and often collaborate when dealing with the United States.

Relations between the two governments were particularly strong during the first decade of the twenty-first century. In October 2006, then President-elect Felipe Calderón visited Ottawa, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended the inauguration of President Calderón. The two leaders were ideological allies, both being pro-market conservatives, Calderón of the National Action Party and Harper of the Conservative Party.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper with President Enrique Peña Nieto in March 2014

In November 2012, President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto also chose to visit Ottawa as a president-elect before taking the presidential oath. In an editorial in the Globe and Mail on that occasion Peña Nieto characterized the relationship before 1994 as one of "mutual benign neglect" but praised the increase in trade and travel between the two countries since NAFTA. He called for increased Canadian foreign direct investment in Mexico, especially in the petroleum industry, though he said that Petróleos Mexicanos, the state oil company, would remain the owner of the resources. As well he called “North American energy security” a “common goal” of both countries. He also pledged to work to reduce drug-related violence in the country and protect visiting Canadians. He also asked Canadians to reconsider a 2009 decision requiring Mexicans to have visas before coming to Canada.[3]

Migration

Main articles: Mexican Canadian and Canadian Mexican

There are thousands of temporary workers who go to Canada from Mexico each year, and many immigrate permanently as well. Recent changes to the immigration Act would allow many to apply for permanent residency after a two-year period which was not the case before.

Starting from July 13, 2009 all Mexican citizens willing to enter Canada must have a visa in advance from any Canadian Embassy or consulate abroad, an action taken by Canada due to increasing refugee petition claims by Mexican visitors. These refugee petition claims by Mexican visitors exceeded 9,500 in the first six months of the Canadian fiscal year 2009.

In 2013, 1.6 million Canadian citizens visited Mexico. During the same time period approximately 130,000 Mexican citizens visited Canada. It is estimated that 50,000 Canadian citizens either temporarily or permanently reside in Mexico.[4]

State visits

Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau attending the North-South summit in Cancún; 1981

Prime Ministerial visits from Canada to Mexico[1][5]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Canada

Trade

Twenty years after NAFTA, Mexico is the largest exporter and importer in Latin America. It exports more manufactured goods than all other Latin American countries combined. The country remains highly dependent on exports to the U.S., but it is on a path toward diversification. In 2012, Mexico was Canada’s fifth-largest export destination after the U.S., China, the United Kingdom and Japan, and Canada’s third-largest source of imports after the U.S. and China. In 2014, two-way trade between both nations amounted to $20 billion USD.[6] Canadian multi-national companies such as Bombardier Inc., Blackberry, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Scotiabank operate in Mexico. At the same time, Mexican multi-national companies such as Grupo Bimbo and various beer and tequila products are sold in Canada.

Resident diplomatic missions

of Canada in Mexico
of Mexico in Canada

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Canada (in Spanish)
  2. ↑ Foreign Affairs and International trade Canada: Canada and the World: A History - 1984-1993: "Leap of Faith
  3. ↑ The Globe and Mail:For Mexico and Canada, there’s room to grow
  4. ↑ Comercio entre México y Canadá supera 20,000 mdd (in Spanish)
  5. ↑ Encuentros entre mandatarios de México y Canadá (in Spanish)
  6. ↑ Mexican Ministry of the Economy: Canada (in Spanish)
  7. ↑ Embassy of Canada in Mexico City (in English, French and Spanish)
  8. ↑ Consulate-General of Canada in Monterrey (in English, French and Spanish)
  9. ↑ Consulate of Canada in Guadalajara (in English, French and Spanish)
  10. ↑ Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa (in English and Spanish)
  11. ↑ Consulate-General of Mexico in Montreal (in English, French and Spanish)
  12. ↑ Consulate-General of Mexico in Toronto (in English and Spanish)
  13. ↑ Consulate-General of Mexico in Vancouver (in English and Spanish)
  14. ↑ Consulate of Mexico in Calgary (in English and Spanish)
  15. ↑ Consulate of Mexico in Leamington (in English and Spanish)