By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN mother and her two sons claimed they fled to Canada last week to escape possible devastation to the country by Hurricane Irma.
According to CTV News Barrie, Desiree Johnson and her sons arrived at Pearson International Airport in Ontario, Canada around 10.30pm last Thursday, the same day the southern islands began to experience adverse weather conditions from Hurricane Irma.
Although they have no relatives or friends in Canada, the family reportedly said they know the country is one with a caring reputation. It was said they left The Bahamas without a plan and their decision, made on impulse, came because they felt there was no other choice.
CTV News Barrie reported they do not know what tomorrow will bring, but they have already reached out to several community agencies in Canada looking for help. CTV Barrie said the family is now planning on asking the federal government to remain in Canada, adding that Ms Johnson wants an opportunity for two of her three sons to start a new life.
Her third son was said to have been left behind in The Bahamas, as the family didn’t have enough money to escape all together, CTV Barrie reported.
John Gargis, associate pastor of Evangelism at Fountain City United Methodist Church, established a GoFundMe page to raise funds to cover the cost of plane tickets, hotel accommodations and food for the family.
“We charged tickets to allow Desiree and her two sons to leave Nassau before the hurricane. We then sent money for food and hotel in Toronto. One hundred per cent of these funds go to help cover these expenses,” Mr Gargis said on the fundraiser website.
Up to press time, 159 people raised $8,147.
While the move attracted ridicule on Facebook from some Bahamians, there were others who offered the family words of support on GoFundMe.
“My family came to Canada 30 years with nothing and Canada has done nothing but love us. I hope and pray the same for your family. Would love to know how things turn out for you,” said one user, Mitxay Phanvongsa.
Another user, Pete Gryschuk, said: “Sad to hear you had to leave your home. But I hope Canada provides a warm welcome.”
Lisa Grubesic also said: “I hope the Johnson family get their chance to stay in Canada. God bless you all! Would love to know how you make out and if I can be of any assistance please email me!”
“Desiree, I wish you and your family the best for the future. Welcome to Canada,” Emilia Moon-de Kemp added.
New Providence escaped Irma’s wrath without damage, however there were reports of structural damage in the southern Bahamas, such as Ragged Island, as well as in Grand Bahama in the north.
It has been claimed that the Johnson family lived in New Providence.
Comments
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 7 months ago
As much as Canadian officials may want to help this family, the precedent it would set would be dangerous.
It makes way for all 400k of us to apply for asylum/refugee status on the same grounds.
TalRussell 6 years, 7 months ago
Comrades! Okay, wait for it. You just knows there has be a least one Red Shirts MP, who wants fly off to Toronto, Canada., to dispel the 'stigma' of a Bahamalander family seeking Refugee Status in Canada? The willing to travel Red Shirts MP, can charge the cost their airline ticket against their MP's Travel Allowance account. { For damn sure, this one, you just couldn't makeup }.
BAHAMALANDER FAMILY OF THREE FLEE TO CANADA SEEKING Refugee Status.
.......///////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25cy...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25cy...
banker 6 years, 7 months ago
I swear, that if there is ever a news story about the archbishop getting a boil on his bum lanced, Tal will manage to somehow bring up the term "red shirts" into the comments section.
CatIslandBoy 6 years, 7 months ago
Tal, you are so pessimistic. I think you are mixing up the shirt colors. It sounds like something Fweddy would do.
sheeprunner12 6 years, 7 months ago
This person should be taken in by the closest MOFA Office, put on a return flight to the Bahamas and given a good cut-ass for acting so foolishly ......... or maybe Canada needs her
Does she have any family who want to claim her in this country?????
CatIslandBoy 6 years, 7 months ago
LOL!!! I wholeheartedly agree......
birdiestrachan 6 years, 7 months ago
This is a very strange story. but they say truth is stranger then fiction. This story makes no sense. It must have been a very slow news day.
themessenger 6 years, 7 months ago
No doubt hoping for the free lunch and other government subsidies not available in this country should the Canadian Government actually entertain this farce. I'm reliably informed that none of them appeared to be undernourished or scantily clad by any stretch of imagination.
rawbahamian 6 years, 7 months ago
It's a shame that the "red shirts" do not pay as much attention to Tal as he pays to them but perhaps it is something to do with empty barrels and their noise factor !
Emac 6 years, 7 months ago
The Johnson's, who live not far from me, are a vibrant Bahamian family, with no special needs. If they wanted to go Canada, they could have easily purchased tickets without the "cry me a river" approach and applied for work permits or whatever type of visa is issued by Canada to Bahamians. They also lied when they said they didn't know anyone in Canada. But I will leave that as that. The sad part about this story is that there are genuinely many depraved individuals who really need help on GoFundMe. In my humble opinion, this will certainly cast a bad light on Bahamians. These first world countries already think that places like the Bahamas is like a village filled with ignorant people,detached from the rest of the world. (Then again, maybe that's what we portray ourselves to be)
DDK 6 years, 7 months ago
Very inventive family! Hurricane refugees! Wow! That's a new one lol! Sound like a family of con artists. If Canada wants them perhaps the Bahamas is better off without them. We certainly have enough problems..............
sealice 6 years, 7 months ago
I heard all you gotta do is convert to Muslim and you get in real easy...
sengli02 6 years, 7 months ago
If this family wants a better life in Canada, then so be it. I am so happy for them and hope they find success. Canada has always been hospitable to refugees.
Until the leaders of The Bahamas get their act together, along with crimes that are out of control, lots of Bahamians will be leaving.
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 7 months ago
I've learned that every country gat every kind a people, the good ones and the bands ones.. The Canadian brand is "welcome", but not all Canadians are welcoming. Whatever the Johnson's are running from, it certainly wasn't Irma, it will follow them to Canada. But good luck to them
SP 6 years, 7 months ago
Why would Canada want people this stupid? These people should be deported for gross stupidity if nothing else.
They will also learn soon enough that the recent heavy influx of illegal Haitian migrants to Canada will be to their detriment.
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