The truck driver responsible for the deadly bus disaster involving the Humboldt Broncos minor hockey team was ordered to be deported to India on Friday.
In a 15-minute virtual hearing, the Immigration and Refugee Board revealed its verdict about Jaskirat Singh Sidhu. “I can’t consider humanitarian and compassionate factors,” Trent Cook, of the board’s immigration section, told Sidhu during the hearing.
Sidhu remained expressionless while the verdict was delivered. His lawyer, Michael Greene, stated that the result was a foregone conclusion, as all that was required to deport Sidhu was proof that he was not a Canadian citizen and committed a major offense. Sidhu is from India and came to Canada in 2014. In 2018, a rookie truck driver from Calgary ran a stop sign and collided with a junior hockey team bus at a rural junction near Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Sixteen persons on the bus were killed, and 13 were injured.
Sidhu admitted guilty to reckless driving charges and was sentenced to eight years in jail. He received full parole last year. Greene stated that there are other legal and administrative hurdles to take, and Sidhu may not be deported for months or even years. Greene said he intends to file an application soon requesting the government to reinstate Sidhu’s permanent residence status on humanitarian grounds. He stated that immigration officials will consider Sidhu’s offense, his regret, and if he is a security concern or a threat to the public.