Time running out in Canada for man who caused Humboldt Broncos bus crash
CBC
The man responsible for the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be deported to India within weeks, leaving behind his wife and two children, who are pleading with Canada to let him stay.
At the same time, some families of the victims say he should have been removed from Canada years ago.
"I want to fight for my family. All the legal avenues, whatever I have, I will pursue that," Jaskirat Singh Sidhu told CBC News recently in an exclusive interview.
Sidhu was behind the wheel of the semi truck that blew through an oversized stop sign with a flashing yellow light, right into the path of the Saskatchewan junior hockey team’s bus, on April 6, 2018. The collision killed 16 players and staff and injured 13 others.
Sidhu was on only his second solo long-haul truck trip, after just a week of training and two weeks of supervision, driving on unfamiliar rural roads across Saskatchewan. A protective tarp on his double trailer came loose and started flapping around. Fearing he would lose his load, Sidhu repeatedly checked his rear mirror, apparently missing signs warning of the approaching stop sign.
The court's agreed statement of facts found neither road conditions, the sun nor trees interfered with Sidhu's ability to see the intersection.
Sidhu says he still has nightmares about that day, and is getting regular therapy for PTSD and major depressive disorder. He remains remorseful and apologetic to the players and families affected.
"I wish I can do something that can take their pain away. I wish that day never happened," he said. "I made a mistake. … I'm paying for that every day."
Sidhu pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, and in 2019 was sentenced to eight years in prison, the longest sentence in Canadian history for that crime that didn’t involve alcohol, drugs or purposeful behaviour.
Sidhu was granted full parole in 2023. One year later, the Immigration and Refugee Board removed his permanent resident status and ordered his deportation.
Recently, Sidhu learned a pre-removal risk assessment has determined he would not be in danger if he's deported to India. CBSA has asked for his travel documents so it can begin the process of removing him from Canada.
When the deportation order comes, Sidhu may leave alone, leaving his wife and two young children — all Canadian citizens — behind.
Sidhu married Tanvir Mann months before the accident, and they now have a nearly three-year-old son and a three-month-old daughter.
His son was born with a rare lung disorder and doctors have told the couple that living in India, with its poor air quality, would put him at risk. The decision of whether to take the whole family with him is weighing heavily on Sidhu and Mann.
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The man responsible for the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash could be deported to India within weeks, leaving behind his wife and two children, who are pleading with Canada to let him stay.
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