Ottawa, Canada - The Canadian Federal Government is taking steps to make it easier for Mexicans to visit Canada, but says it will leave in place a controversial visa requirement that has contributed to strained relations between the two countries.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said on Monday that Mexican citizens who have travelled to Canada or the United States during the past 10 years can apply for expedited visa processing. The government said a pilot of the program, called CAN+, had an approval rate of more than 95 percent, with most visas issued in a week or less.

The Mexican government has been pressing to lift a 2009 requirement for Mexican citizens to obtain visas before they can travel to Canada. The rule was put in place to reduce the number of Mexicans claiming refugee status in the country, but those who want to see it lifted say changes to Canada’s refugee laws mean it is no longer necessary.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper faced questions on the matter when he travelled to Mexico earlier this year. During a joint statement to the Mexican and Canadian media, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto publicly raised the question of the travel restrictions, forcing the Prime Minister to make it clear that Ottawa has no plans to change the rules.

Mr. Harper said at the time that Canada’s concerns included security and illegal migration, "and the criteria are absolutely clear that under the current circumstances we should have a visa with Mexico."

A statement from Mr. Alexander’s office said the new expedited visa program is meant to free up visa officers to work on other cases and should speed up visa processing for all travellers from Mexico. The government expects about half of Mexican travellers to be eligible for the expedited program.