OTTAWA – POLITICS – The Honourable Bob Nault, P.C., M.P., President of ParlAmericas and Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, recently led an all-party delegation to bilateral meetings in Mexico City, Mexico. In addition to Mr. Nault, the delegation comprised the Honourable Rosa Galvez, Senator, the Honourable Kellie Leitch, P.C., M.P., Mr. David Christopherson, M.P. and Mr. Marc Serré, M.P.
“This year marks two important milestones in the Canada–Mexico partnership: the 75th anniversary of the launch of diplomatic relations, and the beginning of a relationship with Mexico’s newly inaugurated president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his administration,” stated Mr. Nault. “The bilateral meetings that delegates from ParlAmericas’ Canadian Section held in Mexico City were both important and timely. In particular, this allowed delegates to establish the foundation for a strong relationship with Mexico’s parliamentarians and the country’s new government.”
While meeting with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, delegates discussed how to strengthen Canada–Mexico diplomatic and trade relations. They exchanged views on how investment in education and promotion of social inclusion are important measures to ensure more vibrant and inclusive societies.
“North American integration is not only about trade, but it impacts all social and economic aspects in the region’s three countries,” added Mr. Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mexico.
In further discussions with Luz María de la Mora, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Trade, parliamentarians conversed on the Mexican government’s plans to reduce inequality and poverty, tackle corruption, promote innovation, and increase education and employment opportunities for Mexican youth.
“With the entry into force of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the recently signed T-MEC/CUSMA, Canada and Mexico have an opportunity to further strengthen our commercial relations and work toward our shared goal of more inclusive trade,” added Dr. Luz María de la Mora, Undersecretary of Trade, Mexico.
As well, during a visit to Mexico’s Congress, delegates exchanged views with the Speaker of the Senate, Martí Batres Guadarrama, and with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the North American Affairs Committee. The particular focus of their discussions was legislative priorities regarding trade, climate change and the environment, gender equality and transparency.
While in Mexico City, delegates also met with representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations to discuss trade, security, corruption and climate change in Mexico.
Founded in 2001 in Ottawa, ParlAmericas is the only interparliamentary institution with its International Secretariat headquartered in Canada. The Canadian Section of ParlAmericas works closely with the Secretariat to advance parliamentary diplomacy and political dialogue throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.
