N.S. man says foreign passport is missing in the mail
Fiben Joseph finds it pretty hard to relax these days. Originally from Kerala, India, he came to Canada as a student a couple of years ago, spending most of that time at Cape Breton University.
Now living in HRM, he's booked a trip home for January. Even months in advance, it's a ticket worth more than $2000, but he's not sure he'll be able to go due to passport difficulties.
Seeking a temporary visa, he had sent his original Indian passport to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which approved the request and sent it back to the correct address with a Canada Post tracking number.
"I never expected this, man," Joseph told CTV News at home in Bedford Wednesday.
He followed the delivery-status for days and was relieved when the post office marked it delivered on Oct. 18.
When Joseph went to get his passport, he realized it was never delivered.
"I paid for the Xpresspost. They are supposed to take the signature from me, they're supposed to deliver it with proper care because it's a passport. It's an important document. That's why we choose Xpresspost or Priority," said Joseph.
Joseph has done everything to get it back including reporting the matter to Canada Post, which is investigating.
He also contacted police but hasn't heard back and canvassed the neighbourhood to see if someone else got it by mistake.
He's posted in community social media groups and looked into getting a replacement passport, but that would take a minimum of four to six weeks - cutting uncomfortably close to his travel date.
He says he's contacted the post office a number of times for updates, but the conversations haven't gone well.
"The way some of the customer service people talked back to me was very disgusting because it feels like I did the mistake and not them," said Joseph.
Immigration lawyer Lee Cohen says missing documents are a bureaucratic nightmare for anyone dealing with international matters, and it's happened more than once to his clients.
"Canada Post investigated and found that Canada Post was never at fault, and they seem never to be at fault," Cohen said.
CTV News reached out to Canada Post, but didn't receive a response by news time.
A webpage dedicated to missing items offers of a host of suggestions on alternate places to look for them, but not much else
Fiben Joseph said he'll never use the national post office for important documents again.
"There are a couple of other options than Canada Post," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.