Warn against Mexico travel: Liberals

Publicado en Toronto Star
Feb 08, 2007 11:47 AM
Richard Brennan
Ottawa Bureau
OTTAWA – A Liberal MP called today for an emergency debate on the escalating violence in Mexico and its direct threat to Canadians.
"I believe it is important that Canadians are aware of what is happening to them when they travel to Mexico," Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough-Agincourt) told a news conference.

Despite the fact four Canadians met violent deaths in Mexico in the past year and others have been wounded in shootouts, the Conservative government has not issued a advisory against travel there by Canadian tourists.

"The minister of state (for foreign affairs) stated that no advisory will be issued as Canadians are not targeted, and I am wondering if Canadians have to have a big bullseyes at that top of their forehead ... in order for us to issue an advisory," Karygiannis said.

"We need to make sure that Canadians are protected," he added, particularly in the weeks leading up to school winter breaks and university reading weeks.

Party house leaders are meeting Tuesday to discuss the need for an emergency debate.

In a related matter, Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) called on the federal government to pressure Mexico to officially drop two Thunder Bay women as suspects in the unsolved slayings of a Woodbridge, Ont. couple.

Domenic and Nancy Ianiero were killed almost a year ago in their hotel room on the Mayan Riviera.

As a result of their being named as suspects in the slayings, the lives of Kimberly Kim and Cheryl Everall have been turned upside down, Boschcoff said.

"The Canadian government has not taken up this case with the vigour and determination that it requires," he said.