The tragic 2018 collision between a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior ice hockey team and a lorry driven by Jaskirat Singh Sidhu has led to an order for him to leave Canada. Sidhu, an Indian-born lorry driver, received an eight-year prison sentence for dangerous driving and was subsequently released on full parole. Due to his non-citizen status in Canada, he has now been given a deportation order.
Sidhu, who migrated to Canada from India in 2013, has expressed his intention to challenge the deportation order with the assistance of his lawyer, Michael Greene. Greene has stressed that Sidhu, as a permanent resident of Canada, is seeking ways to stay in the country based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. He highlighted that Sidhu deeply regrets the crash that resulted in the loss of 16 lives and caused injuries to 13 others.
The collision had a significant impact, resulting in the loss of young lives and leaving many individuals with life-altering injuries. Sidhu’s admission of guilt in 2019 to 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and 13 counts of causing injury shed light on the severity of the situation. It was found that Sidhu had disregarded a stop sign before the collision occurred.
Following the deportation order, some families of the victims have expressed support for the decision. Toby Boulet, whose son Logan was among those who perished in the crash, expressed appreciation for the ruling. However, there are differing perspectives, with hockey player Ryan Straschenitzki, who survived the crash, expressing forgiveness towards Sidhu and recognizing that the situation is beyond his control.
Sidhu’s application to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds is heavily influenced by his family ties in the country. His wife and one-year-old son, both Canadian citizens, would face significant challenges if he were to be deported. The young child requires extensive medical treatment for severe heart and lung issues, raising questions about the family’s future if Sidhu is compelled to leave Canada.
The legal process surrounding Sidhu’s appeal is expected to be lengthy, with a final decision possibly taking two to three years. It remains uncertain whether Sidhu will be allowed to stay in Canada during the application process. Ultimately, the outcome depends on the stance taken by the Canadian government.
The aftermath of the Humboldt Broncos crash continues to have a lasting impact on the lives of many individuals. As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu and the implications for his family are yet to be determined.