Libya Bans Canadians

October 26, 2009 5:57 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - The Canadian government faces a diplomatic crisis as it deals with retaliation and criticisms over its recent foreign policies. The first is a ban on Canadians by Libya, and the second a complaint from a Mexican official who was required so much documentation to be issued a Canadian visa.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi made known his displeasure over plans by the federal government of Canada to scold him over the hero's welcome Libya gave to a convicted Lockerbie bomber that led to Gadhafi's plan to abandon a planned stopover in Newfoundland in September. In retaliation, Gadhafi ordered all Libyan travel offices not to grant visas to Canadians who want to visit the country.

In response, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said he was aware of the diplomatic repercussion of Ottawa's action and met with Libyan officials last week in Tripoli in an attempt to fix the gaffe.

Another border fence that Ottawa has to fix is with Mexico after Canada required a tourist visa from Mexicans who want to enter Canada as a tourist. Among those required documentation before she was granted a visa was Mexican Senator Rosario Green Macias. She was required to submit documents such as proof of property ownership, last six bank statements, letter from the Mexican Senate certifying she is a senator and personal information about members of the Macias family.

In a talk before a Toronto business and academic meeting, Macias described the experience as humiliating. She added Ottawa should have first conducted a study with the Mexican government before making a unilateral decision to stop allowing entry of Mexican tourists to Canada without a visa.