The man responsible for the devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash, a tragedy that shook a nation, is now facing imminent deportation from Canada. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver who pleaded guilty in the 2018 collision, recently received a ruling denying his attempt to remain in the country.
Sidhu’s lawyer confirmed the Immigration and Refugee Board’s decision on Wednesday, stating it legally compels the Canada Border Services Agency to begin the deportation process to India without delay. Despite this, legal avenues are still being explored to postpone his removal.
The core of Sidhu’s appeal for staying in Canada rests on deeply personal and heartbreaking grounds. He argues that his deportation would inflict further suffering on his family, specifically his child who requires ongoing, complex medical care.
The horrific crash occurred on April 6, 2018, near Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Sidhu, a new truck driver, failed to stop at a flashing stop sign, colliding directly with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
The impact was catastrophic. Sixteen young lives were extinguished, and thirteen others were left with devastating injuries. The tragedy instantly transformed a rural intersection into a symbol of unimaginable loss and grief.
In 2019, Sidhu accepted responsibility, pleading guilty to twenty-nine charges related to the crash. Standing before the families of his victims, he expressed profound remorse, repeatedly apologizing for his “lack of experience” and the resulting devastation.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison, a punishment compounded by a deportation order. The weight of his actions, and the consequences for both himself and the Broncos families, has been immense.
Last year, a separate legal battle unfolded as five families who lost loved ones in the crash filed a lawsuit against Sidhu, the trucking company, the provincial government, and the bus manufacturer. The case centered on a critical question of accountability.
The families’ lawyers argued that governments have a responsibility to address known dangers, pointing to the dangerous intersection as a preventable hazard. While the initial lawsuit was dismissed, the pursuit of justice continues.
Undeterred, the families are appealing the decision, taking their case to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. Their determination reflects a deep-seated need for answers and a commitment to preventing similar tragedies in the future.
