Ashley Da Silva of Vaughn wanted to be fully vaccinated, but could not for health reasons, but she thought that her medical discharge from her doctor would be enough to allow her to board a plane.
“I received my first dose of the vaccine and had an allergic reaction to it, so I received a medical exception from my doctor for the second,” said da Silva.
Da Silva and her boyfriend Liam London are high school lovers whose proms were canceled due to the pandemic, so they decided to book a vacation in Mexico.
Da Silva and London paid a total of $ 4,310 for their Sunwing holiday package and showed up at Pearson Airport ready to board. Da Silva said she believed her medical note citing her medical release would allow her to board the plane.
“I really didn’t see the problem. I have an exception, I would show it and we will be ready, “said Da Silva.
But Da Silva was told she was not allowed on the plane and her boyfriend would not travel without her.
“That’s $ 2,000 each. This is not good. It’s just so frustrating, “said Da Silva.
“We are finally going on holiday and we are being refused,” London added.
Someone who has not been vaccinated may be able to fly with a medical exception, but there are procedures that must be strictly followed and documents must be submitted 30 days before the trip.
Martin Firestone, president of Travel Secure Inc., said: “The airline has a form that you bring to your doctor and your doctor fills out the reasons why you have a medical exemption. Then you send it to the airline and they need three weeks for approval to do so. “
When CTV News Toronto approached Sunwing, a spokesman said: “With regard to vaccination exemptions, we are following the regulations set by Transport Canada. Applications are processed on a case-by-case basis and Sunwing Airlines customers seeking requests for an exemption for an upcoming trip must complete the required form and submit the application to our Special Services Department three weeks before the departure date.
“As the prescribed exemption process was not followed in this client’s case and our first-line airport staff is unable to assess individual applications or issue exceptions, the client’s pick-up was unfortunately refused. If the customer wishes to discuss in more detail the reason for refusing to board, provide feedback on their experience or express their concerns, an online application can be submitted through Sunwingcares.ca and a customer service representative will be contacted directly.
According to the federal government, 82% of the Canadian population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which means that approximately five million Canadians cannot fly.
Federal Conservatives are urging the Ottawa Liberal government to return to pre-pandemic travel rules and service levels and remove the requirement to vaccinate passengers.
Melissa Lanzman, a conservative transport critic and Thornhill MP, told CTV News Toronto, “We still have about five million Canadians who can’t travel. We are extraordinary when it comes to the international community. “
The Conservatives today submitted a proposal to the House of Commons to return to the rules and regulations for travel before the pandemic, which would also allow Canadians to fly to Canada, but it was defeated.
“It looks vindictive. It seems to be punishing a number of Canadians who disagree with the government,” Lanzman said.
In many other countries, such as the United States, non-vaccinated passengers are allowed to fly in the country, such as from New York to Chicago. But in Canada, you are not allowed to fly from Calgary to Toronto unless you have been vaccinated unless you have a medical discharge and 30 days notice.
Da Silva and London hoped to get a travel loan for their trip, but they didn’t, and lost the $ 4,310 they paid for their trip.
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