Prime Minister Stephen Harper builds stronger collaboration with Mexico

May 27, 2010

New Joint Action Plan and bilateral initiatives on air transport, youth and anti-crime capacity building to further strengthen close bilateral ties

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Canada and Mexico have agreed to greater cooperation on air transport, youth mobility and anti-crime capacity building.  The announcement took place during a visit to Ottawa by Felipe Calderón, President of the United Mexican States.
 
The two leaders also agreed to a Joint Action Plan that provides a framework for moving the relationship forward.

"We are setting the stage for the next decade of growth and cooperation between our two countries,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The initiatives signed today demonstrate that we are deepening our relations in a wide number of areas that will benefit both our peoples.”
 
Initiatives signed by Canada and Mexico, which were witnessed by the two leaders, include:
 
An updated Air Transport Agreement: Amendments to the existing Bilateral Air Transport Agreement will provide airlines from both countries with greater market access for passenger, combination and all-cargo services and greater pricing flexibility.
 
A Memorandum Of Understanding on Youth Mobility which will promote travel by Canadian and Mexican youth in one another’s country for up to one year, stimulating personal and professional development; and,
 
A Joint Action Plan which outlines the priorities that both Governments are committed to working on in the years to come.
 
Canada and Mexico also announced several anti-crime capacity building projects that the Government of Canada will be undertaking to support Mexico’s robust and ongoing efforts to combat corruption and reform its legal system.  This includes training for Mexican judges and lawyers and a harmonization of Mexico’s criminal law.
 
Canada and Mexico share strong people-to-people links that continue to be a major benefit to both countries.  Over 20,000 Mexican temporary workers come to Canada each year.  In addition, approximately 12,000 Mexican students visited Canada in 2008.  More than 1.2 million Canadians visit Mexico annually and approximately 75,000 Canadian citizens live in Mexico. 
 
Trade and investment ties between Canada and Mexico have grown several-fold since NAFTA came into force in 1994, contributing to increased prosperity and economic growth in both counties.  Canada and Mexico are now among each other’s largest trading partners, while Canada has become a major foreign investor in Mexico.  In 2009, two-way merchandise trade totalled $21.3 billion.  Canadian direct investment in Mexico was close to $4.9 billion at the end of 2009. 



Backgrounder

Bilateral Initiatives Announced by Canada and Mexico During President Calderon’s Visit (May 27-28)

Updated Air Transport Agreement:  Amendments to the existing bilateral Air Transport Agreement (created in 1961 and amended in 1999 and 2007) will provide airlines from both countries with greater market access for passenger, combination and all-cargo services and greater pricing flexibility to respond to market conditions in a competitive manner.  It is anticipated that this will result in more people and cargo travelling between the two countries, enhancing business and people to people ties. Mexico is Canada’s third largest international air travel market after the US and European Union.  Five Canadian airlines and one Mexican airline offer direct, own-craft air services between the two countries.
 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Youth Mobility:  This MOU will simplify and facilitate the administrative procedures for qualified Canadian and Mexican youth, aged 18 to 29*, to travel and work in each other’s country for up to one year.  The MOU, which is expected to come into effect towards the end of this summer, will further promote the personal and professional development of young citizens from both countries.  Canada and Mexico will shortly determine the maximum number of participants that qualify annually under the MOU. (*Age limit remains to be finalized in negotiations with Mexico)
 
Canada Mexico Joint Action Plan: This update of the 2007 Action Plan affirms that both countries will be focussing on the four following bilateral priorities in the coming years: fostering competitive and sustainable economies, protecting our citizens, enhancing people-to-people Contacts and projecting our partnership globally and regionally.
 
Anti-Crime Capacity Building Projects: Through the following projects Canada will contribute to Mexico’s robust and ongoing efforts to combat corruption and to reform its legal system:
 
Education and Training for Judges: Through Justice Canada, the Government of Canada will provide approximately $1.6 million (2010-2011) towards increasing the ability of Mexican judges to manage the new adversarial system in the courts. Anticipated activities include the provision of training, workshops and seminars; development of courses and training tools; and the sharing of best-practices, techniques and methodologies, including a 10-day study mission to Canada for six Mexican judges.

National/State Licensing and Education System for Lawyers: Through Justice Canada, the Government of Canada will provide approximately $1.2 million (2010-2011) towards assisting in the creation of a Mexican system of legal licensing, and the establishment of professional standards in this area. Anticipated activities include training, workshops and seminars; the establishment of a mechanism for the management of the adversarial-type criminal system; and the creation of a licensing system and code of ethics.
 
Harmonization of Criminal Legislation and Strengthening of Prosecution Service: Through Justice Canada, the Government of Canada will provide approximately $ 1.1 million (2010-2011) towards assisting Mexico in reviewing its penal code with a view to establishing a more homogenous classification of offences and sanctions.
 
In addition to the projects announced today, Canada has also provided RCMP personnel and funding to help train Mexican Federal police under the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program.  Specifically, eight Spanish speaking RCMP instructors were dispatched to Mexico last summer to provide training in forensic interview techniques for Mexican Federal Police recruits.  In addition, 42 Mexican commanding officers, and over 250 mid-level Mexican officers travelled to Canada for three weeks last fall to receive training in police management, decision making, investigation and intelligence skills at the Canadian Police College.  These initiatives were announced by Prime Minister Harper in Guadalajara, Mexico, on August 9, 2009.