In a virtual hearing held by the Immigration and Refugee Board in Calgary on Friday morning, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the man behind the wheel in the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash over six years ago, has been ordered to be deported.
Sidhu’s lawyer, Michael Greene, affirmed that the decision was expected, noting that proof of non-Canadian citizenship and commission of a serious crime were the key factors in the deportation ruling.
Originally from India, Sidhu held permanent resident status in Canada. Despite this, the decision for deportation was met with little surprise from Scott Thomas, father of Evan Thomas, one of the players killed in the crash. Thomas expressed that deportation seemed unnecessary, stating, “Our family has always said right from the beginning that we didn’t think that deportation was a necessary ending to this.”
Echoing this sentiment, Toby Boulet, who lost his son Logan in the crash, affirmed his belief in Sidhu’s deportation, despite potential further appeals.
Ryan Straschnitzki, a Broncos player paralyzed from the crash, expressed detachment from the decision, recognizing its inevitability and offering goodwill towards Sidhu.
Sidhu was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for dangerous driving offenses related to the crash, but was granted full parole last year. However, the legal process surrounding his deportation is expected to extend over months or even years.
The tragic collision occurred on April 6, 2018, near Tisdale, Saskatchewan, when Sidhu, driving a semi-truck, failed to stop at a rural intersection, colliding with the Broncos’ team bus. The crash resulted in the deaths of 16 people and injuries to 13 others.
As legal proceedings continue, the decision for Sidhu’s deportation marks a pivotal point in the ongoing aftermath of one of Canada’s most devastating tragedies, with the impacts reverberating through the lives of those affected and the broader community.
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