“He came to seek life, and he lost it”

The death of Fritznel Richard – this man of Haitian origin whose body was found near the Canada-US border in early January – could have been avoided, a few dozen people gathered in his memory denounced on Sunday.

Between emotion and demands, a few dozen people, including members of the Haitian community, gathered in Montreal on Sunday to mark the death of Fritznel Richard, found lifeless on January 4. This man from Haiti was trying to join his wife and child, who had previously returned to the United States after about a year in Quebec.

The rally, organized by Solidarité sans frontières and the collective Soignons la justice sociale, took place at the Guy-Favreau complex in downtown Montreal.

Under a setting sun, the organizers addressed the small crowd, denouncing the lack of consideration of the Canadian authorities towards undocumented people. A photo and candles were distributed to participants.

“He came looking for life, and he lost it,” lamented Jennie-Laure Sully, holding a candle. Very involved in the Haitian community, Ms.^me Sully wanted to show his solidarity by participating in this vigil. “This story, it upset us in the community, she confides, her voice wavering. It’s important to be there to say that it could have been avoided. »

Fritznel Richard, 44, tried to cross the border into the United States on December 23. Montérégie, like the rest of Quebec, was then hit by a winter storm. “If he went through the forest, it was so as not to attract the attention of the police,” his wife, Guenda Filius, later told AFP. The Press.

His body was found on January 4, and police authorities have confirmed that he died of hypothermia.

Lack of hope and administrative delays

“It was a despair caused by the administrative delays, he had no more hope. He also couldn’t work due to work permit deadlines. All this, in addition to the stress and the separation from his wife, convinced him to return to his family,” says Hady Anne, spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders, in an interview with The Canadian Press.

According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), more than 23,000 people entered Canada via the now famous Roxham Road between January and August 2022.

The processing times for immigration applications are now very long, also argues Hady Anne. “How can you live in Montreal on $600 a month? People want to work, and work permits take six to nine months, sometimes even a year before being granted,” he says.

The spokesperson affirms that last November, Solidarity Across Borders met with the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, to “provide him with solutions”.

“Since then, it’s been radio silence. We are still waiting for a return, ”adds Mr. Anne.

A vigil in song

The difficulty in finding a job prompted Mr. Richard to return to the United States, despite the danger, also confirmed Richardson Charles Alida, an acquaintance of Fritznel Richard, met at the rally on Sunday. “He was looking for work, he wanted to work, but it was so difficult,” recalls Mr. Alida.

The two men met while shopping in a convenience store in the Saint-Michel district, explains Mr. Alida. “As a father, he wanted to provide for his family, and for himself,” he adds. When I learned [ce qui s’est passé], it moved me a lot, I was sad. »

During the vigil, Mr. Alida – who himself arrived in Canada from the United States through a border crossing – sang in Creole the Haitian folk song Mucho Woulo, in memory of his friend. “It speaks of exile, of the misery of Haitians who leave the country to look for work,” he later described.

“It’s a song that talks about solidarity, mutual aid, fraternity”, adds M^me Sully.

In his view, Canada, like other rich countries, must recognize its responsibility and its international commitments in relation to this tragedy. “People are angry with migrants, she denounces, but it’s like blaming the victims. People should be treated with dignity and humanity. It could have never happened. »