Family in Mexico searching for missing man

The family of an Ottawa-areaman who has been missing for a week in Mexico say his credit card has been used, and they are searching for his rental car.

Daniel Dion, 51, a resident of Carleton Place, about 45 kilometreswest of Ottawa, disappeared last Friday near Acapulco. His family became alarmed when Dion missed his flight home on Tuesday, and by Thursday, frustrated with the response from Mexican and Canadian officials, they had flown to Mexico to begin their own search.

Family members believe Dion, who runs Ecopurse a purse manufacturing businessthat employs Mexican prisoners to do the sewing was carrying a large sum of money when he went missing. Hisniece Franceska Dion, who is still in Canada, said the family is extremely worried and don't think theMexican police are doing enough to help find her uncle.

"We are very disappointed," she told CBC News.

"My family basically has to do the research all by themselves," she said, adding managing both the search and their emotions has been "very hard."

Still, they are making headway. They found Dion's apartment in the town of Taxco de Alarcn, about a three-hour drive north of Acapulco, was untouched and no valuables were missing. They've now begun searching for Dion's rental car along the highways he may have driven.

According to Mexican media, police have checked jails, hospitals and morgues, but have found no sign of Dion, who had been in Mexico for three weeks before he disappeared.

In an email to CBC News, the Department of Foreign Affairs said "consular officials in Ottawa and at the Canadian mission in Acapulco are working closely with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to the family," but so far there have been no substantial leads.

NDP Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar said the Dion family's complaints about the speed of the Canadian government's response aren't unique.

"I think this shows a frustration of Canadians when they have issues abroad that they seemingly cannot get anyone in this government to follow up in a meaningful way," Dewar said Friday in Ottawa.

In Mexico, members of Dion's family continue their search and have launched a website seeking information.

"You are thinking the worst, of course, but you are still hoping and remaining positive," Franceska Dion said.

"It's been a total mystery for us. We are doing everything we can."