|
Press Release: Canada Must Reinstate All Visa Services to Cubans in Havana, Cuba! |
 |
 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2019 - Coast-to-Coast Day of Action!
>> Canada Must Fully Reopen the IRCC Office & All Visa Services to Cubans in Havana, Cuba!
Press Contacts:
Julio Fonseca – Spokesperson of the Associations of Cubans in Canada and Executive member of the
Canadian Network on Cuba
416-300-4188 |
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Isaac Saney - Co-chair and National Spokesperson of the Canadian Network on Cuba
902-449-4967 |
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
On July 17, 2019, people across Canada will take part in a day of action demanding that the government of
Canada fully reopen the IRCC Office and all visa services offered to Cubans in Havana, Cuba. This campaign,
initiated by the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC), will include calls and emails to elected officials and will
use the hashtags #CdnVisas4Cuba #UnblockCuba and #NoMasBloqueo on social media.
The campaign also
coincides with the launching of a new national petition with the same demand, directed towards Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland; and Minister of Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen.
On May 8, 2019 the Government of Canada made the abrupt decision to shut down the section of its
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Office in Havana through which visas were processed for
Cuban citizens wishing to visit Canada. This includes Cubans traveling for family visits, and those seeking
work or study permits. This decision has introduced unreasonable delays and significant financial
obstacles, as well as personal and emotional distress for those Cubans seeking to travel to Canada, and will
cause (and has caused), among other things, significant damage to family unification, business, cultural,
scientific, and sports relations.
Each year over a million Canadians travel to Cuba. A Cuban grandmother, Odalys Rivero? n Martinez, now
denied the ability to meet her baby grandson in Canada, was quoted by the CBC saying, “How is it possible
that Canada closes the doors to this country who receives them?"
The Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC), represented across Canada by 20 member groups, promotes social,
cultural, political, and economic relations between Canada and Cuba. Canada and Cuba have a long history
of uninterrupted diplomatic relations since 1945. The CNC views this recent government of Canada
decision as a serious departure from these friendly relations, a relationship which benefits Cubans and
Canadians alike.
For further inquiries please contact:
Isaac Saney 902-449-4967 |
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
& Julio Fonseca 416-300-4188 |
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC)
www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca |