An email from Global Affairs Canada informs some stranded travellers that a “technical issue” prevented some applications for emergency loans from being processed. The loans for up to $5,000 are intended to help Canadians abroad book flights and cover expenses.
Some Canadians who are stranded abroad and desperately waiting for an emergency loan from the federal government have been told by Global Affairs Canada that a “technical issue” stopped some loan applications from being received, and thus processed, over an eight-day period from March 26 to April 3.
The repayable loan of up to $5,000 is intended to help cash-strapped citizens book flights back to Canada and pay for basic expenses, such as hotels and food, until they can return home. Some travellers have reported maxing out their credit cards on flights that got cancelled, and being unable to pay hotel bills.
Loan applicants must prove that they have no other source of funds and that they had a plan to return home that got disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I feel trapped,” said Montreal resident Pepe Baiamonte, 36, who is stuck in Mexico. He applied for the emergency loan last week in order to pay for a flight home to Canada. He didn’t receive any confirmation, so today he called the emergency response centre in Ottawa.
“I spoke with this lady, and she told me they have my information but it’s as if they didn’t submit it,” Baiamonte said.
