Cuban defections will continue, Niagara friendship group says

NIAGARA FALLS — Despite improved relations between Cuba and the United States, don’t expect a rapid decline in defections from the Caribbean island, says the chairman of the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association of Niagara.

“I’m sure it will continue. There are still powerful groups that exist in the U.S., with branches in Canada, that are involved in (defections),” said Dave Thomas.

“There are a number of other athletes from other countries that stay behind ( at international sporting tournaments), but they don’t get the attention the Cuban athletes do, likely because of the long-standing political situation.”

Four Cuban rowers defected Wednesday from the Pan Am Games in St. Catharines, with the help of Cubans who are living in the U.S.

Neither the Canadian nor American immigration or border authorities would comment on the Cuban rowers, citing privacy regulations.

Thomas, a Fort Erie, Ont., resident, said it’s common for Cuban athletes to have to deal with defection issues when they are competing for their country outside of Cuba.

He said Cuba often has to consider the athletes’ “loyalty to their country” as well as their talent when choosing teams.

Thomas’ group helps to organize educational trips to Cuba for Canadians, who spend two weeks living and working with Cubans.

“We’re about trying to develop friendships between Canadians and Cubans on a person- to- person level, and encourage our government to maintain good diplomatic relations with Cuba.”

Thomas said this year is the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Cuba.

“We are one of two countries to never break relations with Cuba after the revolution, the other being Mexico,” he said.

Martha Mason, executive director of the Fort Erie Multicultural Centre, said the facility doesn’t normally have contact with Cubans.

In fact, officials there haven’t assisted one Cuban newcomer to Canada this year.

Mason said the organization helps about 1,800 newcomers a year who arrive with the hope of settling into Canadian society — 892 so far in 2015.

She said the centre provides hospitality, child care and information to newcomers.

Colombians are at the top of the list of countries the multicultural centre has dealt with this year, followed by people from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fort Erie, which is a border town neighbouring Buffalo, N.Y., has a history of welcoming and integrating newcomers, connected to the abolishment of slavery in 1793 in Upper Canada and the famous Underground Railroad.

Mason said it’s difficult to say how the changing humanrights situation in communist Cuba and the prospect for changes in the relations between the U.S. and Cuba will impact the number of Cuban defectors.

“I do think there is more emphasis globally on improving relations between countries and improving human rights,” she said.