Canadian Sikhs Rally For Paraplegic

Laibar Singh, 48, entered Canada in 2003 on a false passport and worked as a laborer until he suffered an aneurysm two years ago and became a paraplegic.

He has been receiving treatment under Canada’s free health care program.

Singh has been staying at the Guru Nanak Temple in suburban Vancouver since Dec. 15, four days after the last attempt to deport him was thwarted. He was scheduled to be deported on Dec. 11, but Canada Border Services delayed it after more than 1,000 protesters surrounded the car delivering him to Vancouver airport.

On Jan 9, when he was next scheduled for deportation, supporters flocked to the temple in Surrey, which has a large Sikh population, after word spread that border services agents would come for him in the pre-dawn hours. A large truck was also pulled in front of the Guru Nanak temple’s locked gates.

In the face of the community protests, the border service dropped its plans to remove Singh. However, the agency insists that it will enforce the removal offer.

“The federal government does not condone individuals hiding in places of worship to avoid removal,” Canada Border Services agent Chris Williams said. “The fact that a person is hiding in a place of worship to avoid removal does not in any way influence the government’s decision concerning the case.”

Canadian officials say they are working with the Indian government to ensure health services for Singh after his deportation.