Couple waiting for their work permits

In his native Mexico, Hector was a high-profile journalist covering narco-trafficking and social problems. A year ago, he was investigating a story on organized crime that made living there untenable, resulting in the need to flee for Canada with his wife and daughter. They left everything behind.

Uprooting your family under such frightening circumstances is traumatizing. While they have been able to put the fear behind them, they have been confronted by a new challenge in Canada: receiving a work permit.

“My case was accepted,” Hector said. “We were told there was a backlog due to the pandemic. Without my work permit or social security number, I can't work.”

His wife, a textile designer, is in the same predicament.

“There are so many families like us that are in limbo,” he said. “We can't start our lives here.”

While he waits to finally get his work permit, he's on welfare, the majority of which goes toward paying rent.

As a journalist, he has always been able to provide for his family, and now because of circumstances beyond his control, he can't. He's fluent in English, French and Spanish and has written for some reputable publications. In the meantime, he spends his days writing a book about his experiences in Mexico.

“Every day I'm thankful to be in Canada,” Hector said. “To be able to speak on the phone, for my daughter to be able to go to school, I'm grateful. This is the first time in 40 years I'm not constantly looking over my shoulder.”

This year, Hector will be one of the thousands of Montrealers in need to receive a $125 cheque from the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund. The fund helps make the holidays a little easier for those in tough situations.