Humboldt Broncos crash driver wants permanent resident status returned
The truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash has applied to have his permanent resident status returned.
The Immigration and Refugee Board issued a deportation order in May for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu and his permanent resident status was revoked.
Sidhu is from India and arrived in Canada in 2014.
In 2018, while living in Calgary, the rookie truck driver barrelled through a stop sign and into the path of the junior hockey team’s bus at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Sask.
Sixteen people on the bus were killed and 13 were injured.
Sidhu pleaded guilty to dangerous driving offences and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was granted full parole last year.
Lawyer Michael Greene says his client has applied to regain permanent resident status on humanitarian grounds.
“The test is what would a reasonable person want to relieve the misfortunes of this individual,” Greene said.
“Now, it’s against the horrific nature of the consequences of his mistake. He pretty much has everything else going for him in terms of humanitarian grounds.”
Application likely to take two years to process
Greene said he likely won’t to hear anything about the application for several months, and the application will likely take up to two years to process.
“They look at how well he’s established in Canada, what kind of family ties and community ties. They look at the best interests of the child,” Greene said.
Sidhu and his wife have one-year-old with severe heart and lung complications.
“In this case, it really makes a difference. It would be very difficult for that child to live in India with his health conditions. So the best interests of the child is a big issue for him.”
Several family members of those killed in the crash have said they want Sidhu deported. Others have called for him to be allowed to stay.
The Reconciliation Action Group in Calgary has extended its support to Sidhu.
Child has health issues
“The Reconciliation Action Group stands against his deportation that is based on racial biases. Mr. Sidhu has a Canadian wife and Canadian-born child with health issues and his deportation will harm them,” the organization said in a statement.
Calgary MP George Chahal is also asking federal politicians to block the deportation, saying Sidhu has served his time for the tragic accident.
Former federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole tweeted in December that Sidhu’s deportation will not heal those hurt by the crash.
“I have long believed that he deserved to be granted [permanent residency] on compassionate grounds and I say that respectful of the families who will forever grieve,” O’Toole said.
Have your say
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Stephen, while I do agree with the importance of stressing proper training and commitment to safety, you want to penalize him by taking 30% of his pay? Where is the owner of the company, why isn’t he being held to those same standards? He could just close the company and start a new one, with no ongoing punishment? This driver accepted what he did, plead guilty and served his time without creating any more issues.
I do believe that if he remains here, and does drive, he will be the one already speaking out about training and safety.-
I agree the owner of the company should also have to pay and in my opinion should have got 1 yr in jail.
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He paid his dues leave the guy alone. When driving any vehicle mistakes are made accidents are occurred. You pay your dues. Respect the industry and life must go on. I know it’s tough on the families that were involved, but he did show a lot of remorse. My decision would be leave him in Canada. Thank you.
No one intends to had a crash in which his/her own life can loose. On roads some movements arises when best drivers are unable to avoids. No doubt we declare it negligence of Jaskirat , for which he had suffered a lot and more to suffer. Deportation will not solve any issue but a black spot on Canadian’s humanitarian attitude , for which Canadians are known.
To forgive him and allowed to return his PR status will be admired world wide
I agree that deportation would not bring back any of the ones killed or injured. However where is the justice? He was sentenced to 8 years and is now on parole! I am in the trucking industry and cannot understand where the line is on rookie vs experienced. He should never be allowed to drive commercially again. His mistake was too great. When the accident happened I wonder if he was married to a Canadian wife as that seems to be the reason for him staying. Sorry but my heart is with the victims and families of this tragic accident. He should go back to India.
What would be the result if the driver was a Canadian citizen by birth?
I’m sure this person regrets what happened and it was an accident. No doubt it was his fault and I think he paid for it partially.
I feel bad for the grieving family and they’ll remember it forever so will this driver.
If he’s given his PR status back he can take care of his sick child better here as a Canadian than in India.
Maybe he should lose his commercial licence as one of the stipulation. He would have to change his profession.
That’s my opinion without prejudice
The impacts of granting PR in these circumstances are significant for the student community as well and need to be fleshed out in the education system, public or private, itself. Students, domestic and international, need to work together but it’s becoming increasingly hard in the classroom with language and cultural barriers no matter what industry we are talking about.
i drove a truck for over 50 years and i am still learing new things this young man was just a beginner to leave him stay in this country he was working hard he deserves another chance
What Kim Sokil said period, Rick
Hi-DEFINATELY NOT, HE SHOULD BE SENT TO HIS HOME COUNTRY. TOO MANY DEATHS DUE TO LACK OF DRIVER EDUCATION FORM THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES.
I started driving truck in 1966 until 2020 with 3 years as a charter bus driver, and 2 years as a factory worker. Numerous times this could have been me and any of you guys who have driven truck or bus for 20 years or more who say you have a perfect driving record and this could never have happened to you, I say you are a liar. Let him drive. After this horrific accident, he will most likely be a much better driver than before. Come on guys. How many chances have you had? How many near misses? Be honest now about the times you could have had a horrific incident, but you didn’t get reported and you didn’t tell your boss about it. Be Honest, now.
He should have to do 20 hrs a week visiting hight schools and truck driver training schools and trucking companies to stress the importance of proper traing and commitment to safety. I also think h could have a bo. Driving job and 30% of his take home pay after income taxes and housing cost should go to the people injured in the crash funyill he turns 60 yrs old. The problem is we need better training and the industry and the customer to put training and safety first.