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Puerto
Vallarta's Canadian Honorary Consul: Lyne Benoit
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Lyne
Benoit, Puerto Vallarta's Canadian Honorary
Consul recently received a citation of excellence
from The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
William Graham.
Benoit was one of four Honorary Consuls
out of hundreds world wide, that was given awards
for service. Benoit's honor was for being "recognized
for exceptional services given to Canada." This
marks the second time she has received such
an award. In 1996 Benoit also received recognition
for her work as Puerto Vallarta's Honorary Consul
"It was given to me because of my body
of work, not for one specific act or duty,"
said Benoit.
However, when she received her award,
her work during both hurricane Kenna the earthquake
in Colima were mentioned. Benoit is Consul to
the Coast of Jalisco, Nayarit and well as Colima.
Benoit's job isn't as glamorous as it
may seem. Besides the public functions she must
attend are the more typical responsibilities
of her job. Unfortunately, those are mostly
emergency related. Benoit spends most of her
time at hospitals, detention centers, and the
morgue. She also has to deal with the unpleasantness
of mental illness as well as the more routine
tourist problem of those who have misplaced
their traveling papers and need to get home.
One of the most important issues of her
job is the registration of Canadians abroad,
said Benoit. She would like to get the word
out that if Canadians take the time to register
with the Consulate, if something happens to
them or to their family back home, they will
be able to find either much faster.
The Honorary Consul also acts as a guide
to help people find the right agency, such as
immigration or porfeco, but does not cross the
boundaries of the other agencies duties. For
more information visit: www.canada.org.mx This
year also marks the ten-year anniversary of
Benoit's Consul position in Puerto Vallarta
as well as the upcoming move to new offices.
The new offices are now located at Obelisco
Condominio, Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio No.
1951, Int. 100, Hotelera Las Glorias.
Consul office hours are from 9 am to
5 pm Monday through Friday, the office is open
to the public until 3 pm. After hours a 24 hour
crisis line can be reached at 01-800-706-2900,
which will put callers in touch with a watch
officer in Ottawa, who if necessary can reach
the Consul here. Current Tel. In PV, 222-5398,
223-0858, email vallarta@canada.org.mx
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