Given the labor shortage and the essential nature of her job, Ms Ntsaou does not understand this decision.
I don’t ask for pity. I am [employée] Full time, dedicated. I bring happiness to people in difficult situations. […] That’s unfair, criticizes Ms. Ntsaou, who takes care of people with cognitive disorders. I leave behind my family, my husband and my residents.
“I have a work permit that is valid until 2024. […] I don’t live off Canadian society. »
— A quote from Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou, beneficiaries
If she flies to Gabon on Thursday, Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou will have to wait a year before returning to Canada. It is expensive for the state because it is losing a rare resource, she regrets.
In addition, there are the costs for flight tickets and immigration procedures. Not only will I suffer: everyone will lose.
Asylum application rejected
She left Gabon in 2019 to join her family in Quebec as part of an asylum application after scenes of violence erupted in her wake. This asylum application was rejected in 2021.
Along with her lawyer Me Ibrahima Dabo, Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou has taken other steps but her last resort has just been rejected. Her husband, Charles Ruest, also filed an application for sponsorship after their marriage in March 2022, but Ms Ntsaou believes it will carry no weight on the file. It usually takes a year, but with the administrative slowness… she complains.
Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou and her husband Charles Ruest during the interview.
Photo: Radio Canada
However, Me Dabo points out that an intervention was made with the Federal Ministry of Public Security to ask the border guards for a suspension in this case. Joël Lightbound’s office has also confirmed that the MP has taken the necessary steps to raise Ms Ntsaou’s case with the relevant authorities.
In 14 days, Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou is entitled to a reassessment of her file.
Esteemed Companion
The Humanitæ Residence recognizes the quality of Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou’s work. Caregivers who know her have even written letters to show their commitment to supporting her.
Charlène is the dream companion. If we could have 1000s like you, our services to the elderly would only be winners. What a privilege and how lucky to have her in our community! we can read in one of the letters.
Please, those who can make a difference, I would like to ask you to raise your hand and at least try to change the things that need to be changed in order to keep these people who are so precious to us, like Charlène Biyogou Ntsaou , concludes another letter.
Her employer also submitted an affidavit to try to persuade Border Protection Agency that Ms Ntsaou should remain in Canada.
Charlene Biyogou Ntsaou has not yet packed her bags to board the plane that is scheduled to leave Jean-Lesage Airport on December 1 at 3:20 p.m. She will believe it until the last minute.
With information from Marie-Pier Mercier and Audrey Paris