Ambassador Receives Key on Behalf of Canadians
30 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mexico Tourism Tags: canada, canadians, event, mazatlan, mexico, retire, Tourism, Travel
Guillermo E. Rishchynski, Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, addressed Canadian community members during the grand opening of a new consular office in Mazatlan. The Ambassador received a key to the city during his visit.
Ambassador Rishchynski cut the ribbon to a new consular office in Mazatlan on June 20th. The Ambassador met with members of the Canadiancommunity as well as local government officials. The Consulate moved to larger facilities at Unit 41, La Marina Business & Life Center (Nuevo Mazatlan) to accommodate a growing number of Canadians in the area. In a separate ceremony, Rishchynski became the first Canadian Ambassador to receive a key to the city.
Ambassador Rishchynski receives key to Mazatlan from Mayor Higuera
“The Canadian government has been present in Mazatlan since 1986 through Honorary Consulates and Consular Officials. This year we are proud to celebrate 25 years in the city,” noted the Ambassador during his address. “This is a growing market … and I think Canadians will be coming with more and more regularity,” he later expressed.
Wendy Hardouin is the Consular Official currently based in Mazatlan. Over 3000 Canadians live in Mazatlan full-time and nearly one thousand more are temporary residents during the winter. The number of Canadian tourists has increased approximately 15% each year for the past several years.
Consul Wendy Hardouin at grand opening of new Consular Offices
Mazatlan’s relationship with Canada reaches new heights in 2011. February 25th marked the first time a state Governor has officially met with Mazatlan’s Canadian residents. In April, Ambassador Rishchynski was a guest at an Inukshuk unveiling – a feat coordinated by university students inspired by the Vancouver Olympics. On this occasion, Mazatlan Mayor Alejandro Higuera Osuna presented the Ambassador with a key to the city. “… to be part of such an event is something I do on behalf of all Canadians…” said the diplomat during an interview. “…this is a city where we are always held in great esteem, where we receive the utmost in hospitality from local citizens, and one where Canadians give to the community which is something…that makes me extremely proud.”
