On Monday, the Canadian government placed visa restrictions for the first time on Mexican nationals. The move was done in order to handle a surge in Mexican refugee claims in Canada yet Ottawa’s actions have affected thousands of Mexicans including international students.
As the following video from The Los Angeles Times’ Deborah Bonello shows, Canada’s embassy in Mexico City has been swamped this week:
Mexico’s government hit back today:
Mexico has retaliated against Canada for imposing visa restrictions, saying Canadian officials and diplomats will need visas to enter Mexico.Espinoza added that she would talk with Cannon in order to resolve the diplomatic spat caused by the visa changes.
Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa made the announcement Thursday during trilateral talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.
She said Mexico would not force Canadian tourists — who number 1.3 million a year and are vital to the Mexican economy — to get visas to visit.
Canada’s government is also facing heat from the European Union after also placing visa requirements on Czech visitors.
Online Sources- CBC, Canadian Press, CTV, Reuters, Calgary Herald
2 comments:
Mexicans accounted for more than 25 percent of all refugee claims filed in Canada. What else do you suggest the Canadian government should do. Its the best short term solution until a long term solution can be worked out with the Mexican government.
@Toronto - ok, let's say the new visa policy was quite needed. But why did the Canadian government do it during the summer? The majority of people visiting Canada for a holiday are coming here now. This quite sudden decision might have significantly changed their plans, which is not good for Canadian economy either.
Regards, Jay.
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