September 27, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced that Mexican President Vicente Fox will visit Canada from September 29 to 30, 2005. President Fox will be accompanied by several members of his cabinet, representing foreign policy, economic and social portfolios, as well as a senior-level business delegation.

"Canada-Mexico relations have reached an unprecedented height. We are among each other's largest trading partners and have grown to become strategic partners in North America, the hemisphere, and in many multilateral forums," said the Prime Minister. "From promoting democracy and good government, to strengthening civil society, defending human rights and building peace and prosperity, we share many objectives. It is through working exchanges like these that we continue to build on this partnership."

This will be President Fox's first visit to Canada since October 2004, when the two countries established the Canada-Mexico Partnership, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and policy cooperation and promoting private and public sector dialogue at senior levels.

President Fox will begin his visit in Calgary on September 29, 2005, where he will attend a luncheon hosted by Alberta Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations Ed Stelmach and address the University of Calgary. That evening the Mexican President will attend a dinner hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan.

On September 30, 2005, President Fox will be in Vancouver to attend a breakfast with the Vancouver Board of Trade. Also that morning, there will be a bilateral meeting between President Fox and Prime Minister Martin before both take part in a round table meeting along with other ministers accompanying President Fox, their Canadian counterparts and senior Mexican and Canadian business executives. Following the round table, the Prime Minister will host a reception and luncheon for President Fox and his delegation, to be followed by a joint media availability with the two leaders. Prime Minister Martin and President Fox will also receive a report highlighting progress made since last year's launch of the Canada-Mexico Partnership.

While in Vancouver, the Mexican President will also meet with Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell as well as students and members of the Canadian-Mexican community.