A mother and son seeking asylum in Quebec City are running out of time with their fate in the hands of the federal government, the court system and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) who ordered them to leave Sept 26.

They asked for more time with a temporary suspension of removal but were refused that appeal on Sept. 16. The mother fled Congo-Brazzaville with her son following the disappearance of her husband and applied for asylum in 2023. Her son has attended École Saint-Fidèle in Limoilou since kindergarten and is now in Grade 2.

A demonstration was held Sept. 17 across from the school to denounce the decision and show solidarity with the family, who say they fear for their lives if removed from Canada.

On the first day of school, the mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, confided to fellow mom Emilie Bevan that they were no longer allowed to stay in Canada. Bevan. said her “heart broke into a thousand pieces” when she heard the “terrible news.” She knew she had to help the mom she sees “daily at school drop-off, at birthday parties and in the neighbour- hood.” A group of like-minded parents organised the solidarity demonstration and started a GoFund Me to cover the family’s legal costs, raising close to $10,000 as of this writing.

Bevan addressed the family directly at the event, to underscore how “marvellous and courageous” the mother is, caring for her child, working full-time and managing un- certainty. “This school and community is yours; we love you and we don’t want you to leave. That’s why we’re here,” she said. The mother told the QCT by phone that she was “very appreciative and thankful” toward the close to 150 people who came to show support. Her “heart was touched” by the goodwill shown, even if she is “in pain not knowing what will happen.”

Grade 4 student Marianne B. Tessier took to the stage surrounded by her peers. Tessier used a reference from the cult-classic Quebec film La Guerre des tuques, changing the original quote “La guerre, la guerre, c’est pas une raison pour se faire mal !” to “Rules, rules, it’s not a reason to hurt others.” She said it was “shameful to think that we could return a mother and her son to a country that is dangerous for them.” Her mom Caroline Boudreau told the QCT, “People tend to make it complicated but it’s not … I think my daughter has a really good reflex to say, no, this is wrong.” She added, “It’s a humanitarian issue.”

Boudreau, who formerly worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and helped organize the event, pointed out that Quebec is in a provincial election campaign, and welcomed candidates Sol Zanetti, Gertrude Bourdon and Claude Villeneuve and city councillor Raymond Poirier to the gathering. “When we say democracy, we think elections, [but] for a refugee, democracy means their child can go to school, live in security and live in peace,” all things Quebec can offer, noted Boudreau. She called for action from the politicians: “Press the right buttons, [speak to] the federal [officials] who have the power to change things and make the right decisions.”

Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Zanetti told the QCT at the event, “It’s a tragedy that could happen more and more if we vote for people who say there are too many immigrants.”

The mother’s lawyer, Sandra Palmieri, told the QCT she was “beyond touched” at the interest in the case following the demonstration. She asserted that it is her client’s “absolute right” to have her case brought before a judge before the departure date, but acknowledged that it would likely not be in person due to the quickly approaching deadline. The mother said she can only “beg for a second chance.”

“I’d rather die here than be easily handed to the people who are threatening me, who won’t let me live in peace.”