April 29, 2009
No. 117
The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today issued the following statement on the issue of human swine influenza in Mexico:
"Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, including the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, is working diligently to keep Canadians apprised of developments on human swine influenza. I wish to reassure Canadians that our embassy and consular offices in Mexico continue to provide full emergency consular and passport services to Canadians.
"It is important to remind Canadians that Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Mexico. However, Canadians considering travel there should consult the department's Travel Report for Mexico and its Global Issues website on human swine influenza. These websites include links to the Travel Health Warning issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
"I encourage Canadians in Mexico to register with the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada registration service. This service enables Canadian government offices abroad to provide Canadians in their region with important information."
Canadians in Mexico seeking more information should contact the nearest Canadian government office. They may also contact Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's Emergency Operations Centre by calling collect to 613-996-8885, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
For more information, please consult the following Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Consular Service websites:
Travel Report on Mexico
www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000
Global Issues-Human Swine Influenza
www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/issues_enjeux/article-eng.asp?id=1083
Registration of Canadians Abroad
https://www.voyage2.gc.ca/OLRPUBLICDFAIT/olrportal.aspx?Page=Start&LanguageCode=4105&hash=cFa35rM46rIqIrtkhpEjBA6161
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Eleanor Johnston
Senior Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-947-8981
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
