A Sainte-Adèle woman no longer knows where to turn to repatriate her mother, stuck in Cuba since the beginning of the month, because she has not renewed her permanent residence.
“The embassies pass the buck and after more than 60 hours of waiting on the telephone lines, we still have no news. We filled out a ton of paperwork, contacted deputies and collected the necessary papers, but nothing, ”denounces Janie Bonneau, overwhelmed by the situation.
After seven days of vacation under the Varadero sun, Évelyne Milor should normally have been on a return flight with Air Canada on March 2. However, his boarding was refused.
“My mother does not have her Canadian citizenship, but she has lived in Quebec for 60 years. Unfortunately, her permanent resident card had expired, so she was held up at the airport,” explains Ms. Bonneau.
Wrong information
Janie Bonneau is sorry for not having better checked the recommendations to return to the country. Before leaving, however, she had inquired with a travel agent.
“My mother is used to keeping her papers in order. She was worried that her expired permanent resident status would cause her problems. That’s why we consulted our travel agent,” says Ms. Bonneau.
According to her, the travel agent assured them that the permanent resident card was not necessary to travel to Cuba and that her French passport would suffice. Ms. Bonneau’s mother, Évelyne Milor, nevertheless insisted on bringing her birth certificate and other proof of identity, so that everything was in order.
“We are not trying to blame anyone. Maybe the travel agent just didn’t know. But how is it that my mother was not alerted at the Montreal airport when she left?” asks her daughter.
No news
The 63-year-old woman has been stuck in Cuba for nine days already. The authorities seem unable to tell her when she will be able to return home.
“I don’t know which door to knock on anymore. I have already contacted deputies, the embassy, Global Affairs Canada… But I have no news. It doesn’t make sense that my mother is still there, ”deplores Janie Bonneau, her throat knotted.
A Good Samaritan has agreed to host the 60-year-old in Havana, Cuba, until things settle down. A solution that relieves the family, but which can only last temporarily.
“At least we know she has a roof over her head. But again, Havana is not a very safe place. We had to find someone to insure it, but nobody wanted to do it. She can’t leave the house. It is sure that she is afraid, ”says Ms. Bonneau.
By telling her mother’s story, Janie Bonneau hopes to move things forward and prevent other similar situations.
“I just want them to put my mom on a plane and bring her back to me. I’m so worried, I just want her back. Afterwards, we will be able to face the consequences”, she underlines.