| | |  Americas & Beyond 
Mexico Seeks Solution To Visa Problem With Canada
 AHN
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May 28, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Mexican President Felipe Calderon enlisted the help of Canadian MPs to find a solution to Mexico’s visa problem with Canada. Calderon, who is Canada for several days, addressed on Thursday the House of Commons.
Calderon acknowledged abuse by some Mexicans of Ottawa’s previous no visa policy, which led Canada last year to require a visa for Mexican tourists. Calderon said, “We thoroughly respect Canada’s right to make decisions regarding its immigration system.”
He added, “We sincerely hope the solution that this Parliament is studying, through comprehensive amendments to the refugee law, will also serve as a bridge that will enable us to renew our exchange of visitors. At the same time, I reiterate our full willingness to work with the Canadian government so that this temporary measure can be put behind us.”
Because of the visa requirement, flow of tourists from Mexico to Canada went down by almost 40 percent the past year. According to Statistics Canada, the number of Mexican tourists bound for Canada dropped to 172,000 in 2009 from 271,000 in 2008. Their spending also dipped to $231.6 million from $364 million.
Once the Canadian government amends its refugee system, Ottawa is expect to lift the visa requirement on Mexican tourists, but Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper indicated it would take several months. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the visa requirement would likely remain in place until middle of 2011.
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