Interview with Graeme Clark, Ambassador of Canada

The commercial relationship between Canada and Mexico is historic, taking a definite boost since 1994 with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and recently with the T-MEC, which favors regional integration. The advantages of this nearshoring between two countries linked by a commercial relationship that strengthens over time are evident. Graeme Clark, Canada's Ambassador to Mexico, shares with our readers his perspective on the evolution of this relationship and the challenges it faces.

Graeme Clark received his professional training at the University of Toronto and Oxford University. Since 1989 he joined the Canadian Foreign Service in various positions, including Director of Mexico and North America, Director of Media Relations, as well as Director General and later Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Resources. He served as legislative assistant to two foreign ministers (1993-1995) and to the Prime Minister (1995-1997). Abroad, he was Second Secretary and Vice Consul in San José, Costa Rica (with accreditation in Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama), served as Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia (1997-2001); as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (2006-2010); and as Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission to France (2014-2019). He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. On September 22, 2020, he presented his credentials to the President of Mexico.

 

In view of the Mining Law which, among other things, modifies the concessions regime for up to 30 years, what is Canada's position?

Ambassador Graeme Clark. First of all, it is a file that we are following and an important issue for us Canadians, given that we are the first foreign investor in the mining sector. Canada is a mining country, it has that trajectory in several Latin American countries and it is also present in Mexico. We have had several opportunities to talk with the Secretary of Economy, Raquel Buenrostro Sánchez, of the Mexican government. They are aware of our concerns, and the Canadian private sector also has concerns about this law. Canada's Minister of SMEs and Economic Development, Mary Ng, is in constant conversation with Secretary Buenrostro about Canada's concerns.

We have to work together so that we have a prosperous environment in America. No one is saying that the Mexican government cannot regulate the mining sector, but it has to be aware of its responsibilities under the T-MEC. Hopefully the next steps will allow for smoother communication, so that our companies can benefit from a process of dialogue and agreements between institutions. But the Mexican government is well aware of our concerns.

 

Do you consider that Canada is in close competition with Spain to position itself as Mexico's second largest trading partner?

Ambassador Graeme Clark. In competition, no.  I believe that what the data says is that historically the Spanish are a little more present, but last year there was an update of data that placed us in a second position. 

What does this data mean is that an investment is a sign of confidence, I put money in a project, in a factory, in a mine, in an initiative, because I am confident that I will be able to have a profitable investment, on the one hand, and on the other hand the State receiving the investment will be able to count on profits, taxes, in other words, it is a win-win situation. This is the purpose, and for me it is important to say that it can be reconciled in mining and energy activities respectful of the environment and the communities. There is a way to have responsible investments, because we Canadians want to be responsible investors in these sectors, respecting Mexican and international norms and laws.

 

What would be the new investment strategies to continue strengthening the bilateral relationship between Mexico and Canada?

Ambassador Graeme Clark. It should be noted that these are not investments from the Canadian government, but are investments from the Canadian private sectors in manufacturing, aerospace, finance and other sectors. Canada is present in several sectors of the Mexican economy. Mexico is a neighbor and we are part of the same geographical environment, and the goal has to be America's integration and prosperity, with all the challenges we have in the three countries, on different issues, but the end goal has to be this, and if I, a Canadian, I invest in Mexico, it's good for both parties.

The good thing about all this is that there is reciprocity, complementarity and a healthy economic relationship in terms of investment, trade and other fields. To mention one more, tourism, which is fascinating, because for many Canadians Mexico is a tourist destination, and every year approximately more than two million Canadians travel to Mexico to learn about the wonders of the country and have a break from the Canadian climate, in the same way there is also Mexican tourism in Canada. We are very pleased to welcome Mexican tourists to Canada and have an open invitation for them to further explore the country.

 

Regarding this bilateral relationship between Mexico and Canada, what projects or programs does the Canadian Embassy in Mexico implement in terms of Student Mobility? 

Ambassador Graeme Clark. That is an important topic. We want to attract more Mexican students to Canada, it should be noted that at this moment there is no need for a VISA for those who want to go to Canada for a short stay of a few weeks, that is, Mexicans can go to Canada, take a course for six weeks and without needing a visa, they only require an electronic travel authorization or electronic (eTA).

To strengthen academic mobility, the Canadian Embassy and its consulates in Mexico work to facilitate relations between Canadian institutions and Mexican partners. There are state governments that have developed international mobility programs to strengthen professional training, some agreements include the states of Guanajuato, Yucatan and Queretaro. For example, the Canadian Embassy has worked with the government of the state of Querétaro to link them with Canadian institutions. As a reference, in 2022 the government of the state of Querétaro, through its Ministry of Education, implemented the Ambassador Scholarship program, which directly benefited 83 students from the state's Polytechnic and Technological Universities, who gained experience in Canadian universities such as Lakehead University, Centennial College and Dalhousie University. 

Canada is an attractive market for Mexicans and that is why we have to continue working under this dynamic and continue encouraging Canadian students to come to Mexico for a stay. The relationship between Canada and Mexico is defined by how both countries complement each other, based on reciprocity and mutual respect.

 

Finally, could you share a message for the readers of the Mexican-Canadian magazine Spotlight Montreal?

Ambassador Graeme Clark. First of all, Montreal has a very important place in my heart, my mom is from Montreal and for me it is one of our great cities. Montreal is in my heart, it has an incredible past and it's one of the most iconic and attractive cities, it's a great international platform for us Canadians. 

The message is how we complement each other and the things we can do together. Canada and Mexico have to get out of the preconceived ideas that we Canadians have about Mexico and in the same way that Mexicans have their ideas about Canada. We are much more complex countries than the ad in the newspaper saying "come and spend two incredible weeks in Cancun", in other words, Canadians have to make the effort to explore, get to know and understand all that Mexican culture has to offer and in the same way, Mexicans have to say, "well, I like the forest but I also like the idea of going to Montreal or Vancouver", and get to know this country in the north, especially that for us Canadians is the most exotic part of Canada, and the coldest. Let's not be afraid of the cold.