The Canadian Press
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is dropping its visa requirement for Mexican visitors as of December while Mexico has agreed to lift long-standing restrictions on Canadian beef imports by October.
Trudeau made the announcement today alongside Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who is in Ottawa for bilateral meetings and tomorrow’s North American leaders’ summit.
“We share values, goals, and ambitions,” Trudeau said, noting the two countries were setting out to “take action in ways that will make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Trudeau also said the two countries have agreed to work more closely together on aboriginal issues.
The previous Conservative government imposed visas in 2009 to stop thousands of asylum claims being made by ineligible Mexican citizens.
It was a controversial decision that caught the Mexican government off guard—and has stood as the major irritant between the two countries ever since.
The Opposition Conservatives have argued the visa should not be lifted until its impact can be assessed properly.
The Tories have said the asylum rate for Mexican nationals fell below one percent over the last four years—down from 25 percent just before the visa requirement was put in place in 2008.
The Liberals promised during last year’s election campaign that the visa would be lifted, but the process has been fraught with delays.
