With Canada, labor mobility and energy
María Cristina Rosas González, professor at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences of the UNAM, affirms that the trilarity, the weakest relationship is between Mexico-Canada, however, despite this, there are common issues to promote.
“Mexico-Canada is the weakest link, because although it is true these countries have rediscovered themselves as a result of NAFTA, they have been linking more economically, commercially, in investments, in tourism, the reality It is that the history with Canada is a relationship that has been distinguished by incomprehension, by geographical distance and by rhetoric”, he considered during the North American Leaders Summit forum held by UNAM last Friday.
Between Mexico and Canada, the strategy in favor of indigenous peoples and communities will be discussed, but one of the priorities must be about labor mobility.
“Labor mobility is a key issue for Mexico and Canada. Both countries have to review this collaboration framework that we have for labor mobility, where our workers can go to Canada, and carefully observe what has been happening after the pandemic”, says Silvia Núñez García.
At their meeting in November 2021, they agreed to combat inequality through a fair redistribution of wealth, reconciliation with indigenous peoples, and promoting the region’s competitiveness. This Tuesday, in addition to evaluating agreements, will be the time for more bilateral commitments.
The meeting between López Obrador and Trudeau will be held on Wednesday at the National Palace at 11:15 p.m.
Last Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear that his interest is also in energy issues and that together with his counterpart, Joe Biden, they will argue in favor of resolving a dispute over measures that favor Mexican energy companies would help attract more foreign investment to Mexico.
“Both the president (of the United States) (Joe) Biden and I are going to be (…) quite clear with the president (of Mexico) (Andrés Manuel) López Obrador that this (…) must be understood as a way to help Mexico develop to attract investment from companies in Canada and the United States,” Trudeau told Reuters.
Under the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a new legal framework on energy was promoted. Through the Electricity Industry Law, under which the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is strengthened against private companies. The governments of the United States and Canada considered Mexico’s new energy policy “a threat” to investment.
In July of last year, Canada submitted a request for consultations regarding the Electricity Industry Act. It is estimated that the investment of Canadian companies in the energy sector exceeds 10.400 million dollars.
The Summit could be the last between López Obrador, Biden and Trudeau. It seems difficult for the three leaders to meet again next year due to the political processes in each country, such as the elections, so the agreements reached at this meeting will be transcendental for the region.
