Honourable senators, two weeks ago, I visited Mexico City to participate on a panel of legislators at the North Capital Forum.

This is the premier annual event organized by the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, which brings together business leaders, legislators and others from Canada, Mexico and the United States. I was invited by my Mexican counterpart, Senator Alejandro Murat Hinojosa, who chairs the Senate of Mexico’s foreign relations committee.

In addition to speaking on the panel, entitled, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Regional Policy in Motion,” with a U.S. congressional representative and a Mexican senator, I engaged in a public conversation with Mexican senators at a combined meeting of the foreign relations and North American committees of the Mexican Senate and a similar event at the Mexican Congress.

It was a good workout for my Spanish.

On the government side, I also had a productive one-on-one meeting at the foreign ministry with Mexico’s Deputy Secretary for North America.

Colleagues, Canada and Mexico share more than 81 years of diplomatic relations and 31 years of free trade. Mexico is our third-largest merchandise trade partner, placing it ahead of the European Union. Last year, Canada had over $46 billion in direct investment in Mexico, including in the energy, automotive parts, agri-food and aerospace sectors.

The new Canada-Mexico Action Plan 2025-2028 signed by President Sheinbaum and Prime Minister Carney two months ago sets out an ambitious framework for greater collaboration, including in trade facilitation and promotion; investment promotion; cooperation on ports, labour and mobility; natural disaster resilience; and security. This bilateral relationship is serious, growing and presently infused with a spirit of goodwill. It must continue to be nurtured and not fall victim to the ebbs and flows of politics. Global events like the FIFA World Cup — to be hosted in 2026 by Canada, Mexico and the United States — will only serve to bolster our bond.

Further, the review next year of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA — or T-MEC as it is called in Mexico — rests high on the public policy agendas of both countries. The Trump administration may be adopting a divide-and-conquer approach, but Canada and Mexico believe that any renegotiation should be targeted rather than all or nothing.

Our sustained economic engagement has led to increased growth, jobs and prosperity among all three partners, as well as a sturdy supply chain infrastructure. Calgary-based Canadian Pacific Kansas City is the rail network that connects all three countries. At more than 50 years old, the importance of the Mexico-Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program was often highlighted by the Mexicans. I was also able to thank our Mexican friends for the vital assistance provided in fighting wildfires in Canada earlier this year.

Finally, it was clear that Mexican legislators want to meet with their Canadian counterparts more frequently.

Parliamentary diplomacy is now more important than ever. We have so much to discuss.

[Editor’s Note: Senator Boehm spoke in Spanish.]

Thank you. Gracias.