"It is not our policy to have passengers who are not traveling together share a room"

Mahele Nyota’s mother, Elizabeth Coffi Tabu, had spent a month with her daughter and family before planning to fly back to Paris. It was a simple enough journey, with a connection in Montreal, Mahele Nyota told CNN. However, Coffi Tabu was in a wheelchair because she’s recovering from cancer treatment, and a delay in the first flight meant she missed her flight to Paris.

After trying to catch the night’s last flight, Coffi Tabu and another passenger, a 35-year-old man, were told that they would have to wait until the following morning.

Air Canada offered to put them up in a nearby hotel, but with a catch: There was only one room available, Mahele Nyota said.