An Edmonton couple found themselves stranded in Kelowna after their wallet and ID were stolen last week from a parked car at Bluebird Beach. Eric Grouse, Roxanne Manuel and their 15-year-old daughter flew into Kelowna from Edmonton on August 6. Manuel’s entire wallet containing ID and cards, along with her phone, was then stolen while she was visiting the beach. The couple filed a police report and knew they would be in for an uphill battle when they boarded their return flight on Sunday night. To fly into Canada, passengers must present a Canadian provincial or territorial health card, identification or birth certificate. Gruz tells Castanet that he spent time checking with the airline to try to find another solution. “We had our roommate send photos of her (Roxanne’s) birth certificate her health card and her Métis ID, that’s what their online rep said would be fine.” But when it was time to fly, Roxanne was not allowed to board the flight. According to the Public Safety Canada website, “an air carrier must, at the boarding gate for a domestic flight, verify the identity of any passenger who appears to be 18 years of age or older. In the event that a passenger’s identity cannot be verified due to the loss or theft of one or more of their identification details, “the air carrier may verify their identity using alternative forms of valid identification, such as an employee ID, public transport card or certificate baptism if the passenger presents the identity document together with documents issued by a government authority or police agency confirming the loss or theft.’ Grouse says they arrived at the airport four hours early for a domestic flight, but Flair Air refused to let her board. Grouse tells Castanet that he was disappointed in the way he handled the issue, “no empathy or compassion.” “They tried to claim it was Transport Canada’s rules, but then when we talked to other airlines like Air Canada and WestJet, they said they would accept those forms of documentation, along with a police report.” Grouse said they put their 15-year-old on the plane by herself and stayed back in Kelowna. The couple have since arranged to stay with friends, but are still trying to figure out how to get back to Edmonton without ID. At this point, it looks like they will have to get a vehicle and drive. “At this point, I don’t know what I can do,” says Grouse.
