'Healthcare Hero' Should Get Fully Vaccinated Before He's Deported, Says Jagmeet Singh

Thousands of Canadians — including Jagmeet Singh — are calling for a delay in a Filipino health care worker's deportation until after he gets his second COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Carlo Escario has worked directly with COVID-19 patients in the ICU at Toronto General throughout the pandemic, according to a petition on his behalf, but he's set to be deported on Thursday, May 13, because he failed to disclose that he had a wife and a child in the Philippines in his 2010 permanent residence application.

In an article in the Toronto Star, Escario says he understands he has to leave Canada but he hopes to be able to stay until June 22, when he'll be fully vaccinated. Over 7,500 people have signed a petition calling for a deportation delay for the "healthcare hero" and several politicians are speaking out on social media.

"Carlo Escario served Canadians in a time of crisis. He put his life at risk," Jagmeet Singh tweeted on May 12. "Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government must show compassion - halt the deportation - and, allow him to receive his second dose of the vaccine."

Narcity reached out to the Prime Minister's office for comment but did not hear back before publication.