Cody LeCompte's member of parliament called his mother Danette today.

Diane Finley, federal cabinet minister and Cody and Danette LeCompte's member of parliament called Danette in Cuba today.

Read the 'comments' at the bottom of this posting for Danette and her brother in law Gary's accounting of the phone call from Ms. Finley and their reaction to it.

Comments

[Danette LeCompte and Gary Parmenter]

July 27, 2010

We feel we have to comment concerning what the Canadian Government is saying they are doing on behalf of Cody LeCompte.

Firstly, they indicate they are providing full support from the Consular Office in Guardalavaca and the Embassy in Havana. Since this accident happened some three months ago, there has not ben a visit to Cody from either office.

There have been 2 phone calls last week from a consular official recommending we get into a house to save costs. Having Cody stay somewhere away from the safety and security of the hotel is not an option.

Secondly, they indicate Diane Finley is in regular contact with the family. Well, this is just not true!

Danette has spoken to Diane Finley twice. When Danette got home on May 25th from Cuba, she called her office leaving messages over the following two weeks and only after she brought the lack of communication to the forefront on the Simcoe radio station did Finley call.

The second phone call came today where she advised that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his assistant, Deepak Obhrai, had been in contact with Cuban officials. We are pleased with that.

Ms. Finley also claimed that our dealing with the press is hurting our position. Well, we believe that had the press not been involved, nothing would have happened. The Government release indicates that there is someone available in Finley's Office 24-hours a day. We have no ability on calling out from the hotel. Cell phone signals are spotty at best and the only way to contact Danette is to call her room.

The other aspect of this is that the Canadian public needs to know the risks they face coming to Cuba and renting a vehicle. Placing the risk on a website is just not enough!

This is a simple car accident. There are only a-half dozen witnesses. Surely, that doesn't take 3 months to investigate.

Danette LeCompte and Gary Parmenter (uncle)

[Laurie]

I am somewhat disappointed in the governments response, however, at least they are finally doing something. I think this story going to the press and keeping it public is the only way to get the government to keep at it.

[Sheryl]

If you want to keep the momentum going... Send a blind cc email message to all your contacts via email linking this radio station (Roy Green show) and urging your contacts to contact the Finley office (519) 426-3400 or your local constituent. You can donate to the TD bank trust fund set up on Cody's behalf. Send Roy Green message to him too.

Most importantly, keep this wave of momentum alive and strengthen it until Cody is rightfully returned home to Canada. He can't afford to wait any longer!! We need to stand up for him as fellow Canadian.
He is not a "file" or a "case". He needs our help now!

[Alan Grant]

It is very sad to hear about Cody's troubles in Cuba. But Cuba is a Communist dictatorship and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Why was he driving in the first place? Cuba does not decide how our judicial system works and frankly your efforts are futile unless due process in Cuba is allowed to progress at its own pace and I'll bet your efforts to make this more publicized will probable do more harm than good as some Cuban offical will now feel like they are losing face and delay things even longer. I dont even like going to Mexico anymore, and all people going to Cuba for a cheap vacation should be on alert and take extreme caution renting or driving a vehicle.

[Larry and Colleen Butcher]

This is for Danette and Cody: Hi Danette, Larry and I are so sorry for what you guys are going through. No one deserves this and how dare anyone criticize you at a time like this. The main thing and the most important issue is getting Cody home where he belongs. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers and a speedy return home to our great land Canada. Hang in there guys and know that you have the love and support from all of your friends.