Ottawa, June 10 (RHC)-- Cuban and Canadian residents marched Sunday in Toronto and Montreal to protest the decision of the Justin Trudeau´s administration to suspend visas processing in the embassy of Havana.

"It is a sad step," regretted Julio Fonseca, president of the Association of Cuban Residents in Toronto a group that organized the demonstration, staged in front of the offices of the Canadian Foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland.

Fonseca said that such a position will not help in the relationship between both countries and peoples, and that it will undoubtedly affect cultural, economic, political, academic and sports exchanges.

The activist reiterated that his group 'strongly rejects' the decision of the Trudeau Administration and called for reconsideration, taking into account the 'friendly and respectful nature' that has characterized Canada and Cuba bilateral relations.

Four other similar demonstrations took place earlier in Ottawa – in front of the Prime Minister's office .

In addition to these actions, a signature petition drive is underway to support the request to the federal government to reopen its immigration office in Cuba.

On Friday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez paid a working visit to Canada to meet with his counterpart, Chrystia Freeland.

During the talks, Rodriguez expressed concern over the suspension of the granting of visas to citizens of the island in Havana, which he said is affecting the exchanges in various sectors of bilateral relations, and is harming particularly Cuban-Canadian families.