A Christchurch mother is demanding answers after her 22-year-old son died suddenly while working in Canada, saying systemic failures in the country’s healthcare system contributed to his death.

Julie Mason-Mitchell said her son, Matthew Mitchell, was fit, healthy, and hardworking, yet he couldn’t access medical care when he needed it most due to prohibitive costs for working visa holders.

“The result would have been 100% different if he received medical attention earlier. He needed a doctor sooner. The outcome would have been different,” she told Chris Lynch Media

“No one on these short term visas to Canada goes to the doctor because it’s just so, so expensive and they can’t afford it. People need to be aware of this, before heading over there.”

Matthew, who was born in New Zealand on September 2, 2002, collapsed and died instantly at his workplace in Whistler, British Columbia, on January 23, 2025.

His body is expected to return to New Zealand on Friday, after being delayed three times, and his funeral is set to take place next week.

“It’s been very difficult, with delays in getting him back home, but we’re grateful he will finally be laid to rest with his family, she said.

Mason-Mitchell said she has reached out to Canadian authorities with an open letter to raise concerns about the barriers her son faced in accessing healthcare.

In an email to Canadian officials, and shared to Chris Lynch Media, Mason-Mitchell detailed an earlier illness Matthew suffered shortly after arriving in Canada in November 2023, when he was working as a lift attendant at Silver Star Ski Resort.

“Matthew was in staff accommodation and after some days got worse. There was no doctor on-site, no staff transport, and the closest town was Vernon,” she said.

After ten days of struggling to secure a doctor’s appointment due to cost concerns, Mason-Mitchell arranged an online consultation for her son and had an Uber collect his prescription from Vernon. Matthew recovered and went on to complete the season at Silver Star before returning to New Zealand for two months in September and October 2024.

He then returned to Canada in November 2024, working part-time as a butcher and in a restaurant in Whistler while spending his free time skiing.

Mason-Mitchell said Matthew remained in perfect health until a couple of weeks before his death, when he contracted a gastro bug that was circulating among workers.

“I urged him to go to the doctor, but with consult fees upwards of $300–$500, it was not affordable for a young 22-year-old,” she said.

Matthew recovered after about five days and returned to work and skiing, but the following day, he collapsed and died instantly.

The coroner’s preliminary report found scarring on the left ventricle of Matthew’s heart and a haemorrhage, though final findings may take time.

Mason-Mitchell has also contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand but has not yet received a response.

Despite her heartbreak, she praised the Canadian community in Whistler for their kindness and support.

“Canadians and everyone working at the resort have been incredible, the nicest and kindest people,” she said.

“But they do, like Queenstown here in New Zealand, rely on a transient population to do the work. There are absolutely zero medical facilities on-site, no access to doctors without hundreds of dollars, which is a huge amount of money for young adults working over there.

Mason-Mitchell is calling for urgent changes to Canada’s healthcare system to ensure working visa holders have the same access to medical care as locals.

“Young Kiwis going over to Canada need to be aware of the risks. They are happy to grant the visas, but they need to be given medical access like the locals are.”

She is seeking legal advice and plans to file a complaint over what she believes is systemic negligence in Canada’s healthcare system.

“I want to make sure this never happens again.”

Mason-Mitchell said she will continue fighting for changes to prevent another family from experiencing the same devastating loss.