MEXICO'S DRUG PROBLEM WILL SOON HIT CLOSER TO HOME

When U.S. President Barack Obama comes to Canada on his first foreign
visit, he will likely raise an issue that would take most Canadians by
surprise - the conflict between the drug cartels and the Mexican government.

Escalating violence and an increase in kidnappings has led some
Mexicans to flee the country and join relatives in the United States.
The discovery of $207-million (U.S.) in cash in a single Mexico City
drug bust last year highlights the other side of the problem: the
seemingly unlimited resources available to the drug cartels to corrupt
public officials and democratic institutions on both sides of the border.

While presidents change, this North American problem remains and is
important to Canada. There are more than 2,000 Canadian businesses
operating in Mexico and more than one million Canadians visit
annually. Our relationship with Mexico is also seen in the hemisphere
as an important indicator of our willingness to reach beyond the
United States and the English-speaking Caribbean.

Of more immediate concern, however, is that the fallout from the
hemispheric drug trade is spreading inexorably northward, including
growing connections between Latin American and Canadian gangs. Sooner
or later, the problem will hit home - literally. Canada lacks
significant firsthand experience in dealing with the drug conflict
raging throughout the hemisphere. There is perhaps no better place for
us to become seriously involved than by lending a hand to a friend and
ally in Mexico and, in so doing, also helping ourselves.

So what can Canada do?

Firstly, Prime Minister Stephen Harper can assure Mr. Obama of
Canada's commitment to its bilateral relationships with both the
United States and Mexico. And let's remember that given domestic
political considerations, the United States sees its relationship with
Mexico as more important. Any intimation that Canada is seeking to
strengthen the U.S.-Canada relationship at the expense of our
relationship with Mexico will, to put it mildly, not be seen as
helpful. The Prime Minister may also mention that, given the situation
in Mexico, now might not be the best time to tinker with NAFTA.

Canada can increase assistance to Mexico. The United States is
investing $1.4-billion in the multiyear security Merida Initiative to
support Mexican President Felipe Calderon's efforts against the drug
cartels. But it is also channelling $28.9-million through the U.S.
Agency for International Development to strengthen local institutions,
justice systems and the rule of law.

Canadian assistance also cannot be driven solely by hard security
concerns. We can offer large-scale funding to work with state and
local officials in areas that are not the focus of the Merida
Initiative, which also happen to be areas with significant Canadian
visitors and investment. This will mean bringing in the Canadian
International Development Agency. The RCMP, and perhaps provincial and
municipal police forces, could offer technical assistance and work
with their Mexican counterparts. To do this, the Mounties may have to
scale back commitments elsewhere.

Finally, the United States has recently assigned 100 federal agents to
Operation Gun Runner, to go after U.S. gun shops and so-called straw
buyers along the Mexico-U.S. border. This is an unprecedented change
in U.S. policy. Given that more than half the guns involved in Toronto
homicides come from the United States, we should be taking part in
this and pushing for a similar program along our border. We will have
to become more serious, too, about reducing Canada's demand for
illegal drugs.

Canadian support will not turn the tide in Mexico. However, a weak
response will hurt not only our relationship with Mexico, but our
relationship with the United States - and our reputation in the
hemisphere as a trusted friend and capable ally.

Carlos Dade is executive director of the Canadian Foundation of the
Americas (FOCAL).