Interview With Alejandro Estivill Castro

Alejandro Estivill Castro is a diplomat and writer. He has a degree in Hispanic Literature from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, a doctorate in Literature from El Colegio de México and a master's degree in Diplomatic Studies. He has been a professor at Harvard University and at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies (ITESM).

He joined the Mexican Foreign Service in 1993. He has a 30-year career as a diplomat and has held several important positions such as responsible for Mexico's relations with North American countries, General Director of cultural diplomacy and chargé d'affaires of the embassies. of Mexico in the United Kingdom and in Washington, United States. From February 2016 to December 2023 he served as Consul General of Mexico in Montreal, Canada. In an interview he talks to us about the challenges he faced and the satisfaction he feels upon leaving his position, as he begins a new stage as Ambassador of Mexico in Ethiopia and before the African Union.

 

There were practically eight years in which you served as Consul General of Mexico in Montreal. What will you miss the most?

I imagine that I will miss the debate that exists in this city around bilingualism and the diversity of cultures that here coexist. Let's say it's a place where people think, discuss and sometimes resolve the tensions that arise in a space that is a cultural and linguistic mosaic. 

This helps on keeping your mind sharp and understanding how legality, tolerance, respect for human rights, support for minorities and cultural creativity can really contribute, for example, to making the world a better place. 

There are many things I will miss about how to solve the problems of cultural, human, sexual, ethnic, and linguistic diversity; something which, in a technological world, more modern and communicative, but increasingly complicated, is essential. This is so to resist disturbing ideas such as totalitarianism, social regression and fanaticism.

 

From your position, what strategy did you implement to improve the conditions of migrants in Canada?

Many things have been done, starting with the improvement of documentation services, which constitute the first act of support and protection for a migrant: issuance of passports in 30 minutes, introduction of machines to avoid waiting times, establishing cooperative relationships with non-governmental organizations such as RATTMAQ, Immigrant Quebec, CTI, CAFLA, CRIC and many others that protect labor rights and help Mexicans who come to work. The establishment of mobile consulates, which had never been done before. 

But that's not all, we have always sought a comprehensive approach to issues such as supporting and informing temporary workers on health issues (so that they can navigate the Quebec health system and have access to basic elements of preventive medicine and mental health care), which is why the consulate Health Desk was created. Thanks to this vision and our support, CAFLA obtained a very important grant which today plays a key role in health issues for migrants. 

The establishment of consulting lawyers has also been carried out to work more on various legal issues related to labour, immigration and even financial matters. 

The Mexico-Quebec Business Coordination Council was created and, with the support of Développement international Desjardins, the Financial Advice Desk was set up. The Health and Financial desks are the first consular desks of their type to be inaugurated in Canada. 

We also created the first Community Plazas so that Mexicans could finished their elementary, junior high school and high school education remotely. And above all, I am proud to promote the development of women and their protection with a network of allies. In Montreal in particular, the Consular Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad, developed with the Alliance of Mexican Businesses of Montreal, has been very successful and has already enabled many women to obtain a diploma. This program was well complemented by the business creation efforts of the Montreal section of the Global MX Network.

What do you consider to be the least favored sector and what are the challenges to overcome?

Existe lamentablemente una tendencia a atraer mano de obra mexicana, muchas veces por vía de entidades de reclutamiento sin escrúpulos. Esa gente no se encuentra bien informada sobre las genuinas condiciones de trabajo en Canadá, y fácilmente puede ser víctima de explotación. Ese es el gran desafío, y al mismo tiempo una gran área de oportunidad porque México y Canadá tienen el mejor esquema de movilidad laboral en su Programa de Trabajadores Temporales Agrícolas. Están llamados a tomar los buenos ejemplos de ese programa y atender una vasta gama de situaciones laborales que están tendiendo a la irregularidad y nos afectan a todo, sobre todo a los trabajadores fuera de nuestro programa formal: mano de obra mal informada, explotación, abusos, gente engañada, gente que recurre inadecuadamente al estatus de refugio porque está desesperada, precariedad en salarios, hacinamiento en casas que rentan los trabajadores, personas que quedan sin cobertura médica o simplemente engañada, sin empleo y sin recursos incluso para regresar a su país. Incluso posibles casos de trata de personas con fines de explotación laboral. Tenemos los medios para hacer programas bien reglamentados y conectar la demanda de mano de obra con la oferta y hacerlo con justicia, dignidad y beneficio para la productividad canadiense y para el desarrollo de los trabajadores mexicanos.  

 

How has the perception of Latino migrants living in Canada evolved about themselves in terms of identity, values, responsibilities and rights?

Empowerment and improvement among Latino people are constant, even if they remain the group most affected by wage discrimination and the most difficult conditions of precarity. Latin Americans are now more united; there are better associations that defend them and strengthen their identity. Cultural expressions have multiplied and their quality has greatly improved: it is a factor of unity, knowledge and self-esteem. 

Today, many more Latinos are fostering their professions and starting businesses. This is also positive and begins to diffuse a signal to all other groups that Latinos are truly enriching Quebec society. The number of Latinos elected has not yet increased so much, although there have been many advances as well. 

Making October Hispanic Heritage Month, both provincially and municipally, was a great achievement in which I actively participated. Furthermore, the pluralist table in Montreal government has a chair for Latinos which has been entrusted to entrepreneurs, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Quebec (QUÉtAL). This was important.

 

Do you think that the image of Mexicans has evolved from the perception of Canadians and why?

It has evolved and continues to evolve. Quebecers have a very good image of Mexico. This is largely due to the tourism that goes there and is looking for something other than sun and beach. Quebecers are interested in culture, gastronomy, music and people, and even in other artistic and traditional expressions such as Day of the Dead or Guelaguetza. This is a great source of positive messages. Then there is the importance of temporary workers. Quebecers know that the productivity of their fruit and vegetable fields depends on this workforce. They respect them and consider workers very positively. In some places, it is already a very remarkable factor of integration, such as in Saint-Rémi. 

The next step concerns businesses, services and cultural events, which are increasingly in the hands of Latin Americans and which are already flooding the major cities of Quebec. Perception is improving and contrasts sharply with the bad news that also exists but which, at least in Quebec, is not extending because the host society has maintained a global perception of what Latinos mean. 

The fact that the Conseil des arts de Montréal decided to make the Mexican Day of the Dead (organized by the consulate with our community) an integral part of the city's cultural agenda means a lot. The fact that we are already integrated into the city's main festivals, such as Nuit Blanche, Art Souterrain, Mural, RIDM and many others, which appeal to Mexican creators, says a lot.

 

We saw you very active in cultural matters and we know that it is your passion. What activities did you promote from your position?

I have already mentioned the importance of joining Nuit Blanche, Art Souterrain and film festivals. We reached their approval, and we preserve it, which is not easy. The Cultural Institute of Mexico in Montreal / Espacio México is already a reference point for numerous activities and exhibitions. 

Certain events are particularly close to my heart, even if I cannot name them all: the creation of the Coata serpent, a bench and a work of art which today adorns Peel Street; it was made with architect Javier Senosiain and Enrique Espinosa (children play on it and it has been considered one of the best benches or sculptures in the city). The way we promoted Day of the Dead and how it was adopted in Montreal and other cities. Our links with very prestigious artistic spaces like ADÉLARD, La Fonderie Darling, the Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul (major Mexican exhibitions at the MAC in Montreal by Tere Margolles and Rafael Lozano Hemmer should be mentioned) and very marked things, like our links with Cirque du Soleil so that the Luzia show can be produced and more Mexicans get involved in the circus world. The examples are numerous and it is difficult to cite just a few, but I cannot fail to mention Mexican artists like Senosiain, Alberto Castro Leñero, Betsabé Romero, Manuel Rocha, Manuel Díaz, Patricia Enríquez, Luis Canseco , Adela Goldbard and many others that we have been able to promote through our cultural activity.

What satisfaction do you get in terms of experience and learning?

From a personal point of view, there is the satisfaction of a small legacy where the people at the consulate and the Mexican community are a little better off. I learned a lot in terms of establishing strategies to speed up documentation, systematize processes and find solutions for people who arrived here and find themselves in a precarious situation, with incomplete documents. They can be supported within the framework of the law by having constant consideration for the person. I believe that I also learned a lot about the particularities of Quebec culture, its national pride and its creativity; Quebecers are destined for great things in terms of combining creativity with technology and social engagement.

 

What does belonging to the Flor de Lis Circle mean?

It is a recognition of Quebec that I will always carry with me, knowing that I have made very dear friends. I see it more as a gesture on the part of a friend (in this case the government, the civil servants, the institutions of Quebec, the very society of this part of our continent which declared themself friends with me). They are telling me that they will always remember me and my family. I will have to come back, because I leave a lot of my being in this land, and perhaps I will show the distinction of the Fleur de Lis Circle, just to reiterate this friendship.

 

What do you consider to be the challenges that still have to be overcome by your successor?

I believe that those challenges have already been mentioned. We will have to take advantage of the possibilities we have for labor mobility and deal in an intelligent, and very creative manner with the question of the arrival in Quebec of people who are looking for well-paid jobs and who are often victims of deception. It will be up to my predecessor to build these roads, to provide more accurate information, so that people take better care of themselves and that opportunities are seized by workers, in direct contact with the sources of work and without certain unscrupulous intermediaries that can take advantage of them. 

I think it will also be about profiting what the relationship offers in terms of technology and economic competitiveness for our region: the outstanding themes for the future are the electrification of transport, artificial intelligence, high quality agro-industry and manufacturing of medical products. The same goes for the cultural industries. Mexico and Quebec are essential players in the competitiveness of North America.

 

Your message for the migrant community in Canada.

My appreciation. Simply the great affection that I have for all those hands that I shook, where I felt the traces of having worked hard, of having made an effort, of having sought the good for their family. All these people are wonderful and deserve my greatest affection. I know that they will do well, that they must continue to inform themselves and remain very attentive to opportunities and also risks, to listen to what the authorities have to say in each sector and in each matter to be able to protect themselves. I know that with their efforts they will make generational changes for the good of their children, that they will educate them and provide them with better living conditions, which should benefit their families and Mexico.