- Ahmed Hussen, Canadian Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and Secretary Marcelo Ebrard discussed shared values of inclusion, equality and diversity.
- Both secretaries agreed on the importance of combating racism ahead of the upcoming North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico.
Canadian Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen met with Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard at the Foreign Ministry while in Mexico to attend the UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination. The two officials agreed that inclusion and equality are shared values and a priority in the bilateral relationship. Foreign Secretary Ebrard noted the importance of expanding the joint work of both countries on this issue, particularly against the xenophobic ideologies in the region.
“Mexico is very seriously concerned about the growth of white supremacy in North America; fighting it on an ongoing basis is one of the main priorities of our foreign policy,” said the Foreign Secretary. Therefore, Mexico and Canada will work together to show the strengths and benefits of diversity and inclusion to counter xenophobia.
Minister Hussen agreed with Foreign Secretary Ebrard, saying that Canada takes the issue very seriously. "The antidote to xenophobia lies in early education and instilling in the new generations the idea that diversity is not a source of division, but of strength," he added.
The two officials chaired the meeting on behalf of both governments. They announced a bilateral agreement on the inclusion of communities of African origin in the two countries. They also discussed the labor mobility agenda that is based on the 18th annual meeting of the Mexico-Canada Partnership held last week in Ottawa and headed by Chief Officer for North America Roberto Velasco.
"Mexico and Canada understand the importance of mobility, of providing more and better information on labor markets to both potential workers and companies," said Chief Officer Velasco. “We will also work on student mobility ahead of the upcoming North American Leaders' Summit that we will have the pleasure of hosting in our country,” he said.
In addition to Chief Officer for North America Velasco, the Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Arturo Rocha, Coordinator of Strategy and Public Policies for North America; and Cristina Planter, Coordinator of Political Affairs for North America.
The Canadian delegation was made up of the Canadian ambassador to Mexico, Graeme C. Clark; Deputy Head of Mission Shauna Hemingway; and Tia Tariq, Director of Policy to Minister Hussen.
