Leticia Hernandez is an international master’s student from Mexico studying public administration.
She says the visa rule for Mexicans was poorly introduced
I was in my apartment in Ottawa, four days before flying back home to visit my family in Mexico, when I fi rst learned about the new visa requirement for Mexican travellers. I was not a bit concerned because I was sure the Canadian government would not implement the measure right away. I was wrong. There was no warning, no foreword, no friendly reminder, just a cold and sore slap in the face. Thousands were immediately affected and with that, the reputation of Canada, Mexico’s long-beloved friend, suffered terrible damage in our eyes.
Ever since, I have been reading articles in both the Canadian and Mexican press and have found few points of contention regarding the issue. Most have recognized the imposition of the visa requirement as improvised, poorly organized, disregardful and damaging to Mexican-Canadian relations. However, some have argued that re-enacting the visa rule was necessary because too many Mexicans (more than 5,500 this year alone) have claimed refugee status in Canada. The number of refugee claimants from Mexico has almost tripled since 2005. The fi gures are overwhelming indeed, but one has to wonder what the numbers are really pointing at. When Immigration Minister Jason Kenney declared that reforms are needed to ensure migrants seeking to abuse Canada’s generosity are “shown to the door quickly,” I wonder what led him to believe that the rise in Mexicans seeking refuge in Canada comes from a rise in false claims?
Anyone who has been paying some attention to the news lately knows there is an ongoing war in Mexico between the drug cartels and the government. Regular citizens face constant threats and violence. When they turn to their government they are often ignored and sometimes silenced. While Canada should not have to bear the cost of sheltering all those fl eeing from hostilities in Mexico, offi cials here need to be more sensitive. After all, Mexico is fi ghting a war on its soil that concerns both of its northern neighbours, as the United States and Canada continue to provide much of the drug demand fuelling the conflict.
It should be seen as a shame that people with legitimate reasons for claiming refugee status in Canada will now find the doors shut to them.In addition to the adverse effect the visa imposition will have on humanitarian matters, economies will suffer in both countries as well. Canada has been for many years one of the top three destinations for Mexican travellers. The immediate implementation of the visa rule has sent Mexicans an unfriendly message and many who still wish to visit Canada are finding their visa applications rejected. There are far too many requirements considering most people plan to visit for only one or two weeks. What is even more ridiculous is that Mexicans must fill out the applications in either English or French — when was the last time you had to speak the language of the country you were planning to go to on vacation? Consequently, the Canadian tourism sector is expected to lose millions in a time of economic recession. And Mexico will also lose Canadian tourists who have been forced to change their plans abruptly.
In spite of all this, I am sure people in Mexico understand that this policy does not refl ect the general sentiment of people in Canada. Undoubtedly, some damage has been done but I am confi dent we shall overcome this. Canada and Mexico share more than just NAFTA and a proximity to the United States; we share and learn from each other through cultural, touristic, athletic, business and academic exchanges. These exchanges will be the ones that guide us back to the road of diplomacy, respect and mutual admiration that has for many years paved the foundation of our relationship.