An unvaccinated Canadian who was prevented from leaving the country for nearly two months has finally made it out, and says he will never return to Canada..After making the decision to leave for good amid what he viewed as an increasingly authoritarian landscape, a man who wishes to go by “RD” chose Costa Rica as the destination for his family to establish a new life, and accompanied by his wife and daughter, RD proceeded to do so without interruption — that is until he returned to Canada to tie up loose ends..During what was supposed to be a brief stint back in the country, RD was set to leave Canada again in early February and return to his family in Costa Rica. He drove from Calgary to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to board an Aeromexico flight, as Aeromexico said it did not require proof-of-vaccination against COVID-19 to board..“I had all my paperwork, I had my PCR test and everything ready to go,” said RD..“All was good. Aeromexico checked everything and didn’t ask about the vaccine.”.It was then RD said a lurking YVR supervisor came over to glance at his paperwork and said “Oh, you only have a PCR test? Well you’re not allowed on this plane.”.Aeromexico reiterated that it did not care, however the YVR supervisor blocked RD’s ability to board the plane, citing Transport Canada rules..RD then drove back to Calgary deciding he would take his vehicle across the border, but before doing so he called in a favour with a business acquaintance in the US to set up a fake meeting and invoice. The reason being so he could tell the custom’s official that his entry was for essential reasons if need be..“I got to the border and the guy asked for my vaccine thing, so I said I don’t have it, that’s why I am showing the PCR test,” said RD, who then told the border official he was travelling for essential business reasons..“The guard just said ‘Nope, you’re not coming into this country without a vaccine.’”.RD then drove to another border crossing, however he was denied entry there as well upon being asked to show proof-of-vaccination..A frustrated RD devised his next order of business was to find a private flight into the US. One week later he found one, however when it came time to board he was blocked yet again. As it turned out, RD had been flagged for entry into the US due to repeatedly attempting to cross the border..“Everyone else who was unvaxxed was able to get on the plane and go,” he said..Feeling desperate to get back to his family, RD began looking for private flights from Canada to Mexico, which was going to cost him around $12,000. He pulled the trigger on a private flight to Mexico out of an eastern Canadian province, however due to highway delays from weather and ironically the trucker’s convoy, he did not make it in time..“I got screwed on that one,” said RD..“I then found an option to get some ‘paperwork,’ which I went through with.”.The paperwork RD referred to was falsified proof-of-vaccination..“I had government connections but obviously I’m not going to name them,” he said..“I was nervous going to the airport with it, but it worked and they let me on the plane.”.RD was able to fly from Vancouver to Mexico and then Costa Rica where he is now living with his family again. However this time he won’t be returning to Canada..“I have no desire to ever go back,” he said..“I have such a bad taste towards Canada and my life is wonderful down here, and everyone keeps asking me what the hell is going on with Canada. I just say ‘I don’t know, that’s why I got out.’”.RD says he still has his business up north that he didn’t have time to sell..“The second I can sell it, I will. I am here with my wife and my daughter who now goes to an international school, and we just got some farm land nearby so once that is settled and the company is sold, I’m done.”. nar1RD with daughter in Costa Rica .RD says his area has a large number of Canadians who have also left the country behind. He also highlighted the difficult process of getting money out of Canada’s banks and transferred down to Costa Rica..“You can’t just move all of your money into Costa Rica because you’ll get flagged,” he said, suggesting people buy something tangible such as land, property, or a business — as doing so will supposedly “show you are legal,” therefore making it “easier to get your money down.”.As of now, unvaccinated Canadians are not permitted to board a flight within or out of the country. Very limited exemptions are granted..Foreign nationals who don’t qualify as “fully vaccinated” and who don’t permanently reside in Canada will be allowed to leave up until August 31, 2022. After this date unvaccinated foreign nationals — like the rest of unvaccinated Canadians — will not be permitted to depart the country by way of plane or train. Driving out of the country remains contingent upon US policy..“I was willing to take the risk because I had no choice. I was a prisoner,” said RD..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
