A lawyer for the truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash says his client is one step closer to being deported to India.
Lawyer Michael Greene says Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has rejected one of two last bids for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu to stay in the country.
“The wheels are set in motion now and the (Canada Border Services Agency) is under a legal obligation to remove people as soon as possible,” Greene told The Canadian Press on Thursday.
He said he’s not sure when that might be but plans to ask for a deferral, until a previous application to restore Sidhu’s permanent resident status is decided.
“They have a mandate to move but sometimes they’re reasonable,” Greene said.
Sidhu, a rookie Calgary trucker, drove through a stop sign and into the path of the bus carrying the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Sask., in April 2018.
Sixteen people died and 13 more were injured, sparking a nationwide outpouring of grief, condolences and tributes.
Sidhu entered guilty pleas to dangerous driving offences and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
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Court heard Sidhu, who had arrived in Canada as a newly married permanent resident in 2014, was hired by a small trucking company three weeks before the crash.
A criminal conviction that carries a sentence of more than six months makes a permanent resident ineligible to remain in the country.
Sidhu was granted full parole in 2023. The Immigration and Refugee Board ordered the following year that he be deported.
Greene said his client learned Wednesday that a pre-removal risk assessment was not approved. But it wasn’t much of a surprise.
“It’s a very high bar to achieve and frankly that’s not the crux of his wish to stay in Canada,” said Greene. “His reason to stay in Canada is not based on danger.”
Greene said asking for the pre-removal risk assessment was important because it held off the deportation.
“They couldn’t remove him while the PRRA was ongoing. Once the PRRA is determined, there’s nothing to stop removal.
“It enables them to remove him now.”
Greene said he’s reviewing the pre-removal risk assessment decision and deciding whether to challenge it in Federal Court. And he plans to ask for a deferral while the remaining application to restore Sidhu’s permanent resident status on humanitarian grounds is considered.
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Sidhu has two children, and one has complex medical issues.
“We will ask they do not split up the family and send him back to India. If we didn’t get any deferral at all, I would say we’re probably looking at two to three months,” Greene said.
Sidhu and his wife have been stressed for years, said the lawyer.
“This Sword of Damocles is hanging over them and never goes away. This just intensifies it. He’s attending regular psychological counselling,” Greene added.
“While some people have forgiven him, he has not forgiven himself. It’s still something he relives constantly.”
Chris Joseph of St. Albert, Alta., whose 20-year-old son, Jaxon, died in the crash, said he hopes the deportation goes ahead.
“This would be a big chapter for us, and it’s a really important one. If we lose everything else but he gets deported that might be the only thing that gives us a little bit of peace,” said Joseph.
“That might the only thing that even begins my forgiveness journey, if I even have room for forgiveness.”
This is a corrected story. A previous story said an application to stay in Canada was denied by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. The story also described it as a refugee claim.
Mr. Sidhu is not a criminal…he had a bad accident for which he is remorseful. He is a young family man and not a danger to society no matter which country he lives in. If anyone is to blame, it’s the trucking company that put him on the road without proper graduated training and experience. There are are thousands of real criminals loose on our streets and endangering the lives of us all…they are not being held accountable. Mr. Sidhu is not one of them. Forgiveness is an important biblical concept that we can all practice.
He isn’t a murderer! He is a human being! I get it lives were lost in a horrible accident! He pleaded guilty served his time and is very remorseful! He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time! Think about it how many of you have been in near miss situations and how quickly accidents can happen! So he is from India, I work with many from there and they are fantastic people! And yes he will live with that horrible scene for the rest of his life! I think he can stay! There are many bad ass Canadians out there that have done far worse! Time to move on!
They have a mandate to move but sometimes they’re reasonable,” Greene said.
This man deserves no sympathy or apathy. When he slammed his rig into these innocent people, that was not reasonable. When he further added salt to the wound by playing the justice system, that was not reasonable.
Get him out as fast as possible.
Yes send him back to his country
Poor man. Horrible that he has to suffer so, and ashamed of the lack of forgiveness in Canadians. Accidents happen.
@ Anonymous. So you are a benefits shopper. Taking advantage of our superior social programs and you are a convicted felon. Your words. Perhaps the authorities need to know that.
He murdered 16 kids. The law states if you serve a prison sentence 6 months or more you get deported. What is the problem? Send the cockroach back now.
Can’t believe this is still going on, next he will be getting his old age pension and free medical
This man is a convicted felon and is not a citizen of Canada. He should be sent back to his country of origin.
I am a Canadian who arrived in the U.S. at 30, lived as a resident alien for over 32 years, committed an aggravated felony and was eventually deported, I can sympathize with him. If he had been naturalized he would not face deportation. If he had a Canadian relative in his ancestry he would not face deportation. It’s a heartbreaking situation for everyone. I was fortunate. I self deported back to Canada and it was an easy transition because Canada has superior social programs than most countries including the U.S. But for those who go back to a country with nothing it’s tragic.
Return them all enough wasted maney already
An immigrant truck driver wailed on his horn in a 50km construction zone, crossed both lanes going around curves, almost hit 3 other drivers. If not for their quick their quick and responsive breaking the vehicles would have been squished on the concrete barriers. If these truck drivers can’t read speed signs and and other laws to operate safely they should not have their licences to begin with.
Send the whole family back ,we have enough politicians breaking laws
That can’t be sent back
His family doesn’t need to be split up. They can all be together in his home country.
This Legal decision is outrageous. This man should be sent back to his homeland.His stupedity killed 16 young men. He does not deserve to stay in Canada as a Redeemed person. His child has medical issues as he does. So go home to India. They should look after them. We the Canadian taxpayers don’t need anymore Grifters bleeding our Health, and Welfare system.
I am appalled at the people who say he should stay. Shame on you. In the end it was still his fault. Without him innocent people did not lose their lives. Send him back with his friends and all the Liberals. See how they make out in India?
Why do we have laws if we don’t follow through send him back.
I hope in the end he gets to remain a permanent resident of Canada. In the circumstances of his case, serving the sentence determined by the courts is appropriate. No proof of negligence on his behalf really and he has always handled the situation with remorse and respect for the families. Deportation is just some sick punishment and won’t change the circumstances of anything.
Should have been deported a long time ago, another instance of our failed justice system
What needs to be investigated, beyond careless driving, is the company’s trucking fleet, in which truck inspectors are paid under the table to avoid compliance with safety standards. There are hundreds of fleets across the country that do not comply with safety inspections, hoping to avoid expensive repairs. If it’s an independent trucking fleet, they should be the first to be investigated. Drivers can be complicit in this activity.
Disgusted by the amount of Albertan racism here.
So whats he been doing for the last few years
This is horrible!!! The driver was not negligent like a drunk driver! He has a young family, he has done his time in jail, he has remorse!!!! This feels like a racist punishment! We actually have criminals in our cities that get away with everything because they have an addition to drugs. Siduh is a tax paying citizen that had a bad accident. He will live with this for the rest of his life. How dare we treat him like a serial killer.
Such amazing drivers from India. Killing multiple innocent people after getting your license for a few days. 8 years is an absolute disgrace to the families. Now we’re arguing about sending him back. I’d have his ass in the electric chair and save the tax dollars for something else.
His deportation is long long overdue. It’s time to stop wasting Canadian taxpayers money on this criminal.
Jaskratt broke the law, for crimes they committed crimminal immigrants get deported once there sentences are complete ,to which we might add was only 8 years ,he has to go back .
Hey Non Racist you are so naive with the news to realize what is happening before your eyes. Clearly you love the Liberals and taxes. Bring more here…They’ll soon run this place. Dont blame the people who’ve been here for 100 years.
Let’s get it right he’s a murderer he killed loads of kids and do gooders like greene disgust me, all this rubbish about don’t split up the family, what’s wrong with them going back to India with him when he’s rightfully deported, he should never have been driving l bet he never even had a license.
Despite The culture background, I see a lot Racism from a lot of Alberta WHITIES here, Let me explain something to all you hicks, Your ancestors are technically not from Canada either, just because you are born and raised here in Alberta, doesn’t make this your home land either. Just because you are white skinned doesn’t make this your land!!!
I cant even begin to count the amount of crime WHITE people create here in Alberta let alone the political crimes created by white politicians. However because an East Indian from India caused and crash and killed some individuals which clearly was an accident, white people are now wanting him deported with out hearing how he DID take full responsibility for his actions. Yet when a WHITE individual is arrested committing a crime in a different country, they reach out to the Canadian embassy for help, and does not take responsibility. This has happened on a number occasions. DO YOUR REASEARCH!!
You all need to read the story before you speak or vent on social media.
Grow the hell up you entitled Clowns. Your not so innocent either.
Killed 16 hockey juniors ?
Regardless of the family situation the law is the law. He should be removed from Canada. His family can chose to stay together and move as a family. As an immigrant family, we know the risks and work hard to earn our place in Canadian society ao we could become full citizens.
We need Canadian ICE. Start sending these people back. Tired of reading and seeing so much in news all with names noone can pronounce. Liberals can fly them back!
He’s been allowed to stay here 8 years too long! Send him back now along with all refugees/immigrant criminals
Send him back with the other couple million people who came here where he’s from. Go Liberals. Soon they’ll run this dumpster fire of a country.
The families who have forgiven him won’t be saddened by his deportation, while those who cannot let go will struggle to find inner peace if he stays. If you take someones’ “right” to live, you are going to lose some “right” as well to respect the inner peace those who can not let go has.
Enable for us all to heal.This man needs to go back to his own country and never be allowed back
I believe he should go back. If he stays, this sets a precedent for similar incidents of negligence by other immigrants. He is no doubt stressed, but look at the stress the families who lost their children are suffering. He, at least, has his two children. They must all return to India.
ALBERTA PREMIER SMITH HAS SHUT DOWN OVER 20 TRUCKING COMPANIES DUE TO UNTRAINED DRIVERS **
I can think of about 10 million more brownies who can get the boot with em. Our white heritage is under threat . People need to open up their eyes and see something.
I’m ashamed that at one time I actually thought after having served his sentence that Canadians should consider allowing him to stay. As I say, I’m ashamed.
After recently learning of his blatant disrespect of the rules of driving only days leading up to his, what is literally now in my mind, an execution of 16 Canadians is deplorable. I WISH Canada had the balls for the death penalty as in my mind, he surely qualified. Get him out of our country. The families who lost their members deserve better than this. We shouldn’t even be considering his stay. Good riddance. I can only hope his life in his country of birth provides him a fair and rewarding welcome.
He will just go back to India, buy another ID and come right back. Lots of them do it.
Escort him to India as his ‘sentence’ outlined. Just do it. It is a no brainer. These court filings go on and on and on. The ‘family’ he has was developed after his sentence was given. Should not affect the outcome. Those people as still dead, those families are still devastated. That will never change. His family can go with him. He is not being asked to give them up. They are not being taken away from him.
It is the price to pay try to conform justice to all families ..it was an involuntary huge terrible accident . Unfortunately for him remaining in Canada it sound no one can heal them soul. A very controversial case.Mar
If he were white, he’d have gone to jail and definitely would never drive again. It’s like every immigrant gets to plead stupidity to avoid jail time in this country. These DEI judges are the biggest white supremacists there are.
This guy needs to leave on his own. That would prove his remorse more than pulling every punch to stay here. There are doctors in India and he is not from poverty by any means.
He should still be in jail having killed some many innocent people. What a joke our judicial system is… Send him back with the rest of our new Canadians we let in every day.
The only people actively pulling to keep him here are liberals and cbc reporters.
I think if this was his first and only offense, I MIGHT feel differently, but when you have over 70 driving infractions that tells me you don’t want to follow the laws, or take them to heart. Driving is a privilege, not a right. As it is I think he got off easy. I think the best thing for him is to go home.
We literally don’t want this murderer here. He needs to go and he can take his family with him.
Has to go leave this country.
His family can go back with him, no breakup needed.
Need to leave our country.
His family can simply go with him, no breakup needed.
killed 13 kids. must go
Get out
Good. Pleasantly surprised. Now let’s hope he doesn’t come back in under another name or asylum claim.