Stranded Canadians – Message to Canadians stuck in Guyana

BY JONELL PANTLITZ

“The simple fact that there are still thousands of Canadians stranded all over the world demonstrates that Prime Minister Trudeau’s warning came way too late.” Dave Deonarain (Barrister & Solicitor)

In the last edition, we shed light on what was happening with the over 500 Canadians stranded in Guyana.

On April 5^th, 2020, Trans Guyana Airways facilitated two flights via Barbados for Canadians to return to Toronto. The flights were said to have transported 28 Canadians to Barbados, where an Air Canada flight was waiting to transport Canadians to Toronto. An Eastern Airline flight also had 51 passengers who left for Miami to make connections for Canada.

With the development and spread of COVID-19, The Canadian High Commission has been busy trying to ensure citizens return home safely. According to Kaieteur News, the Canadian authorities have been in contact with nearly 400 Canadians to offer them the option of returning to their country.

High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Lilian Chatterjee says, “It doesn’t matter if Canadians were born in Guyana, once they have a Canadian passport, we have a duty to assist,” she told News-Talk Radio Guyana 103.1 FM/Demerara Waves Online News.  If more Canadians would like to leave Guyana, they can call 608-7012 for assistance. “We hope that more Canadians can reach out.”

 According to the High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname Facebook page, an Eastern Airlines flight is departing Georgetown to Miami on Tuesday, April 14^th, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., and Canadians who fulfil the US entry requirements are welcome to join to transit to Canada, on a first come first serve basis. Although this post was meant to help Canadians stuck in Guyana many were not happy or pleased about the situation.

“This flight is being sent by the US for their stranded passengers in Guyana. Why isn’t Canada doing the same? We have been stranded for weeks here and have to rely on the US evacuated flights to take out a few Canadian at a time – to of all places the epicentre of the virus!” (Facebook User)

” I don’t understand why the Canadian government is relying on the USA to get Canadians out. Canada has airlines. Air Canada or WestJet can go and bring Canadians back and we keep the money in our economy. What about Eastern Airlines dropping people off in Barbados to get a flight back to Canada.” (Facebook User)

The High Commission of Canada to Guyana and Suriname has not yet responded to any one of these Facebook comments.

For Canadians stuck in Guyana. Here are ten things to do in order to expedite the process:

1. Prepare to leave Guyana at any given time, which means you may have to leave without your full luggage.
2. You will be expected to pay $1,000 USD to $2,000 USD each for a flight to return to Canada.
3. Once you are comfortable with Step1 and Step 2, you will need to give your: name, age, Guyana contact number and email address, to Dave Deonarain (Barrister & Solicitor), and he will communicate your information directly to the High Commission of Canada in Guyana.
4. You should have a travel agent in Canada available to book flights for you at any time. Syed Rayman (Owner of Roraima Travel in Scarborough, Canada), is available to help those stranded in Guyana. He can be contacted at (416) 412-0103. Be prepared to provide your: full name, DOB, passport number, and credit card information.
5. Contact the High Commission of Canada at (592) 608-7012, to double-check that they have your correct information on file to contact you if a flight becomes available.
6. Register or have your family register your presence abroad at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration
7. Send an email to sos@international.gc.ca and provide your full name, Canadian passport number, contact information in Guyana, health conditions and demand that a repatriation flight be sent.
8. Contact your family in Canada to contact the Members of Parliament to make your situation known and insist that the Member of Parliament contact Global Affairs Canada to have a flight sent to Guyana.
9. Contact Minister Marc Garneau’s office insisting on having an evacuation flight arranged to repatriate Canadians stranded in Guyana.
10. Fill out the pre-drafted letter (attached on Canadians Stranded in GT Facebook public group), and have as many families/friends send the letter to their Members of Parliament

Dave Deonarain told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “The Prime Minister’s Office failed to warn Canadians abroad in time for them to get back to Canada. The simple fact that there are still thousands of Canadians stranded all over the world demonstrates that Prime Minister Trudeau’s warning came way too late. This current administration was totally asleep at the wheel.  Canadians are going to have to contemplate whom they keep in power to protect, prepare and provide for them when the next crisis hits. “