(Montreal) Members of the Montreal community and the Haitian diaspora gathered late Sunday to honor the memory of Fritznel Richard, a migrant from Haiti whose body was found near the Canadian border in early January.
Posted at 3:37pm
Elo Gauthier Lamothe The Canadian Press
Organized by the Solidarité sans frontières organization and the Soignons la Justice Sociale collective, the event took place at the Guy Favreau complex in downtown Montreal.
In late December 2022, Mr. Richard had attempted to join his wife and child who remained in the United States. Passing through the woods near Roxham Road on the Canada-US border, he got lost in a winter storm and couldn’t find his way back.
“It was a desperation caused by the administrative delays, he had no more hope. He was also unable to work due to work permit deadlines. All of this, on top of the stress and separation from his wife, convinced him to return to his family,” Hady Anne, spokeswoman for Solidarity Across Borders, said in an interview.
His body was found on January 4 and police authorities have confirmed that he died of hypothermia.
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK
Fritznel Richard
Mr. Anne finds it difficult to explain this human loss, which he describes as “worrying”.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first case and there are so many others. […] It is really disappointing and sad to see that people are still dying this way today because our administration is not working. It’s terrible,” complains the speaker, who immigrated himself a few years ago.
In his view, “the primary responsibility lies with the Canadian state,” which often takes in people without creating the necessary conditions for their integration.
“Canada needs to listen to organizations working on the ground. By listening to the heart cries of migrants, such situations can be avoided, the spokesman argues. If we allowed people to come to the border post to apply for asylum, we wouldn’t be there.”
migrant crisis
The Fritznel Richard case is neither the first nor the last. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), more than 23,000 people entered Canada via Roxham Road between January and August 2022.
In January 2017, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that the country would take care of migrants arriving on its doorstep.
“For those fleeing persecution, terror and war, rest assured that Canada welcomes you regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength,” read his Twitter account.
According to Hady Anne, it is hope that drives people to seek refuge in Quebec and other provinces.
“Now when they come, the delays are extremely long. How can you live in Montreal on $600 a month? People want to work and the work permit takes 6 to 9 months, sometimes even a year, before it is issued,” he confirms.
The spokesman confirms that Solidarity Across Borders met with Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser last November to “offer him solutions”.
“It’s been radio silence since then. We are still waiting for a return,” adds Mr. Anne.
Before his remains were found, Fritznel Richard was the subject of a wanted notice issued by the Sûreté du Québec between December 27 and 29 during the holiday season. Police had called off the search after receiving reports that the man had entered the United States.
The man had lived in Montreal for about a year, having crossed the border into Canada with his family a year earlier. Unable to find a job, his wife had returned to settle in Florida with their young child. Trying to reach her, Mr. Richard was killed.
This article was produced with financial support from the Meta Fellowships and The Canadian Press for News.