Stephen Harper won't drop visa rule for Mexicans, source says

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not expected to lift visa requirements on Mexican travellers during his upcoming trip to the country, a senior government source told CBC News.

The visa rules, imposed in 2009 to curb bogus asylum claims, are considered a major irritant by the Mexican government.

"The restrictions have helped reduce bogus claims by approximately 85 per cent and there is no intention of lifting the visa requirements on this trip," the senior government source said.

Harper will join U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto for a continental summit in Toluca on Feb. 19. Dubbed as the Three Amigos Summit, it will be the first meeting of the trio since a brief gathering almost two years ago.

The summit is seen as an opportunity for Harper to expand trade relations and energy security.