Organizers of an international event in Montreal for gay, lesbian and transgendered athletes say some participants are having trouble getting into Canada, prompting a public appeal to federal Immigration Minister Monte Solberg.

Just two weeks before the games are to begin, 242 foreign participants are still waiting for visas, say organizers for the 1st World Outgames.

Immigration Minister Monte Solberg has been asked to look into visa delays involving gay athletes aiming to attend an event in Montreal.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

More than a dozen other participants for the event, which runs July 26 to Aug. 5, have already been refused entry to Canada, they say.

On Tuesday, the Liberal party issued a statement calling on Solberg to look into the matter.

"Canada has been a financial partner in the organization of the 1st World Outgames and the International Human Rights Conference from the outset," said Liberal Immigration critic Raymonde Folco.

"Why, with only two weeks remaining until the start of the activities, are dozens of participants still waiting for a response to their visa applications?"

A spokesman for Solberg said Tuesday that the department was not discriminating based on sexual orientation or race, adding that most of the visa applicants were still in the review process.

Former immigration minister Denis Coderre said there can be legitimate administrative reasons for visa delays, but said Solberg should investigate in this case.

"Believe me, he's aware of the situation because I saw a letter sent from the Outgames to Monte Solberg," he said.

Worries about reputation

Coderre said he's worried if no action is taken, Canada will earn an unwanted reputation in the international community.

Pink News, which bills itself as Europe's largest gay news organization, has already picked up on the story.

Noel St. Pierre, an immigration lawyer in Montreal, told CBC that several of those rejected entry into Canada were told it was because they have criminal records.

St. Pierre said he was investigating the nature of the criminal records, since many of the invited athletes face prosecution in their home countries for being homosexual.

The 1st World Outgames are being billed as the largest sports gathering in Montreal since the 1976 Olympics.