The Citadelle, Quebec, Monday, June 27, 2016

What a pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to the City of Québec and to Canada.

I was honoured to attend your inaugural speech at the Presidential Palace in late 2012, as well as the State luncheon you hosted afterwards, and I’m delighted to return your hospitality today.

This is a very special place for Canadians. Like Mexico City’s Centro Histórico, Québec’s old city is a UNESCO world heritage site and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here at the Citadelle of Quebec, against such a historic backdrop!

Your State visit is important in many ways.

Canada and Mexico have so much in common and such potential for greater partnership and prosperity.

Both of our countries believe in democracy, good governance, human rights, the rule of law, inclusive economic opportunity and respect for the natural environment.

Canada is pleased to be a partner in Mexico’s long-term commitment to make North America a safer, more prosperous and humane place for all of our people.

In addition to all we have done, there’s so much more we can achieve together.

Let’s help more students and professors travel between our countries.

Let’s create more investment and commercial relationships to stimulate economic prosperity.

Let’s create a cleaner and more sustainable environment for future generations.

And let’s imagine ways to forge a more caring, inclusive and just world.

Our people-to-people ties lie at the heart of our longstanding friendship, and they are likewise the key to our future.

Already, Canada and Mexico are working together in so many ways.

Your visit helps us to strengthen and build upon the bonds between our academic institutions, governments, businesses and cultural institutions. 

While in Canada, you will encounter many people who are working hard to build on the ties between our two nations.

As you talk with them, you will discover willing partners and new friends. You will witness the growing interest in and opportunities for trade and investment between our nations.

Opportunities for innovation also exist across all sectors.

The interests of our two countries converge on numerous regional and global issues. We work together through the United Nations, the Pacific Alliance, and, of course, the Organization of American States, to uphold our shared values of peace, prosperity and human dignity in our hemisphere and the world.

Canada places great value on its relationship with Mexico, and we look forward to continued friendship in the years to come.

I look forward to discussing ways to expand our relationship with you and the members of your delegation.

Welcome to Canada!