https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-ca ... 07040.html
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-03-1 ... s-all-2016
Seems like an awful lot of Mexicans suddenly want to vacation in Canada in the middle of the winter :-) I look forward to seeing how this plays out. So far, the Canadian government hasn't bought into the idea that massive numbers of low-skilled immigrants are wonderful for the economy. If this attitude changes, they'll really be in trouble with that low-cost, single payer health care system of theirs, not to mention their generous welfare benefits.The increase in northern border crossings came, at least in part, courtesy of Canada's decision to lift visa requirements for Mexican 'tourists' as of December 1st. Per the new rules, rather than a visa, under Trudeau's administration, Mexicans are now only required to have a so-called Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) which can be purchased online for CAD $7.
Unfortunately, while Canada's relaxed travel requirements were applauded as an enlightened, progressive alternative to Trump's xenophobic, racist approach to immigration, under the surface, Canada's policies still function much like Trump's proposals. As Mexican immigrants are suddenly finding out, while Canada is happy to host 'tourists' from our Southern neighbor, getting a work visa can be nearly impossible and Mexicans with a criminal record are not welcome.
...
Canada issued 72,450 travel authorizations to Mexican citizens between Dec. 1, 2016, and March 10, 2017 - a significant increase compared with a similar period when visas were required.
I seriously wonder what would happen if all the ingenuity that Latin Americans are applying toward sneaking into the US or Canada to work and live illegally were applied to improving the quality of life in their own countries. Are they really so unsalvagable?