As tensions in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday, some Quebecers find themselves trapped far from home with limited options to return and scant guidance from the federal government.
The sudden escalation between the U.S., Israel and Iran over the weekend has left airports closed, flights canceled and travelers stranded in an increasingly uncertain and hostile situation.
Among travelers stranded is Francis Vézina, a Boucherville resident currently in Doha, Qatar. Vézina has been in Doha for four days now after a layover that was supposed to span 50 hours. He told CityNews he’s growing frustrated with the lack of government response needed to help him, and his fiancée, find their way back home.
“The government is 100 per cent inactive in this situation and I mean that in the worst way possible,” Vézina said. “They don’t provide us with any updates of what’s happening right now. They don’t give us any other information or provide any help.”
Vézina said his options for a safe return home are scarce. He could transport himself to the Riyadh airport – nearly 10 hours away from Doha – and catch a flight there.
“Aerospace is not as restricted over there as it is here,” Vézina said. “That route is somewhat safe as far as we know.”
But Vézina said he’s unaware of the complete laws of the country, making it difficult for him to make informed decisions, calling on the government to offer support so he can weigh his options carefully.
“What I’m asking is for them to provide us with information that would allow us to weigh the pros and cons of staying put or going with an escape route,” he said. “What if we made a mistake on the visa? What if we filled out something wrong and the minute we cross, we’re both getting jailed?”
The only other option Vézina is left with is to wait, something he’s willing to do “at the very condition that something is coming.”
“It’s frightening for us to be stranded here, waiting for a solution that might never happen,” he said, “and the worst is that we have no news from our government.”
Vézina said he calls the Canadian embassy three times a day and is met with the same answer at each turn.
“I hope this will shake something up and that the government will stop, take their heads out of the sand, and put some things into action, some concrete action. Not just providing us with general information that everybody can find on the web,” he said.
Simon Marcotte, a Quebec City resident, is also stuck in a similar situation. He’s trapped in downtown Dubai, having been there vacationing since February. He too reached out to the Canadian government inquiring about a rescue plan. In return, he was told nothing was planned.
“They told me that there was no plan to rescue Canadian citizens from United Arab Emirates,” Marcotte said.
Marcotte is traveling with his girlfriend and 14 year-old son. If he was alone, he said he might make different choices, but is unwilling to risk taking dangerous steps that could compromise the safety of his family.
Marcotte said his options are also scarce, and he doesn’t have enough information to make safe decisions. As a result, he’s hesitating on what to do next.
“I don’t have any information. Nobody provided us. We need to find it on our own,” he said.
Marcotte contemplated driving to the border, but explained the complexity of his situation. He said his car is a rental and will not be permitted to travel between countries. He said he would need to take a bus or a group car, but that traveling further could jeopardize his safety.
“I think it’s more unsafe to go there blind than to stay here in the safety of our basement,” he said.
Travel advice to Canadians: Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians in the region that staying put may be the safest option, adding that they are “continuing to provide Canadians with timely updates through multiple communication channels to ensure they are reaching as many registered individuals as possible with the latest information.”
They are encouraging Canadians to remain alert to changing security conditions, check travel advisories often, ensure travel documentation is up to date, and follow the advice of local officials.
Global Affairs Canada has also encouraged Canadians in the Middle East to register with the Registry of Canadians abroad to receive timely alerts as the situation unfolds.
“Our ability to provide consular services to Canadians during an active conflict is limited, with priority given to provision of essential services such as the processing of travel documents. Canadians in an affected country should prepare contingency plans that don’t rely on the Government of Canada’s assistance for departure. When air travel and/or land crossings are available, information will be shared with Canadians who have registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad to inform their individual travel decisions,” they added.
Additionally, they have encouraged Canadians to avoid all travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Yemen and to avoid non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Ongoing hostilities in the Middle East
Israel sent troops into southern Lebanon on Tuesday and warned residents of more than 80 villages to evacuate as the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group said it was ready for an “open war” with Israel in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
The development came after Hezbollah fired rockets and launched drones early Monday toward northern Israel. Israel retaliated with a wave of airstrikes that killed 40 people in Lebanon, including seven children as well as a Palestinian militant and a Hezbollah intelligence official in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
March 3 marks the fourth day of the war since it began Saturday.
The conflict began after the U.S. and Israel launched their opening attacks on Iran and killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Worry among the Middle Eastern community in Montreal
Back at home, there’s no shortage of worry for Montreal’s Middle Eastern community as they watch from far away, often calling loved ones as a means to stay connected and informed.
One Montrealer said she has family back home in Iraq. She’s full of fear and worry being at a distance.
“All the time I’m calling them, asking about them. It’s difficult, I’m afraid,” she said. “For me I’m so afraid because I’m far from my family.”
Others shared similar concern, highlighting the suffering and advocating for peace.
“Iran is my country. Iran is attacked. Even if my family is not in danger, all the other people are in danger,” said one Montrealer.
“We don’t want war in Lebanon, Syria, in any place,” another Montrealer added. “We want peace.”
According to Global Affairs Canada, as of March 2, 2026, the number of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents registered as being in the Middle East increased to more than 97,000 from 85,000 on March 1, 2026.
