Towards collective action on the passport crisis?

TVA Novels has learned that several travelers affected by the passport crisis have lodged complaints with Option partners and reached out to law firms to initiate class action.

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These disgruntled travelers seek compensation for the agonizing wait in what could be described as extreme conditions.

Some Canadians have been forced to spend whole nights in the rain without chemical toilets or water stations.

TVA Nouvelles also testified that Quebecers missed their flights and had to buy plane tickets after getting their prized document at the last minute.

Several Montreal-area law firms contacted by TVA Nouvelles confirmed that they had received requests from disgruntled travelers to assess the possibility of a class action lawsuit against the federal government.

Before taking steps, attorneys must determine the type of damage to travelers.

Some argue that the passport took the form of a right, even a basic right, protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

If Ottawa has indicated in recent weeks that it has taken new measures, the situation is still far from perfect, according to a lawyer.

“The problem is that there are people who applied in February and March and have not yet received their passports, although the departure is scheduled for July. So, it is not necessarily the last minute people, but there are those who find themselves in the unfortunate situation where they were not sure after talking time whether they will succeed in getting it in time for their departure,” Me Sylvie De Bellefeuille, attorney and budget advisor, told TVA Nouvelles.

A family who missed their trip too late to get the passports of their youngest.

They had to pay a few thousand dollars extra to get to their destination.

“It was hell, we’ve never seen that before. We got to the airport running. But we couldn’t get on the plane. It cost me $4,000 to buy new airline tickets. I obviously want some form of compensation from the federal government, they have no choice,” said Julie Austin. , located in Santiago de Cuba, “I have pictures, evidence and I have everything, they made a mistake.”

– Based on information from Yves Poirier