Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s truck met with a deadly crash and killed 16 people in Canada’s Saskatchewan province in 2018./ Photo from India Today News
In a tragic incident that shook Canada in 2018, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, an Indian-origin truck driver, was involved in a devastating crash that claimed the lives of 16 members of a junior hockey team and injured 13 others. The accident occurred when Sidhu's truck collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team at a rural intersection near Tisdale in Saskatchewan Province. The collision occurred after Sidhu failed to stop at a stop sign, leading to the catastrophic outcome on April 6, 2018.
Following the crash, Sidhu faced legal proceedings, and on May 25, 2024, he was ordered to be deported to India by a Canadian court. This decision was made during an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in Calgary, where it was determined that Sidhu, who holds permanent resident status in Canada, would be deported due to his involvement in the fatal crash and his non-Canadian citizenship status.
Michael Greene, Sidhu's lawyer, acknowledged that the decision to deport Sidhu was expected, given the circumstances of the case. He explained that deportation was a straightforward outcome based on the criteria that Sidhu was not a Canadian citizen and had committed a serious crime. Greene emphasized that these hearings typically result in swift decisions due to the clarity of the situation.
Despite the deportation order, Greene indicated that there are additional legal procedures to be navigated, which could prolong the deportation process for months or even years. Sidhu's lawyer mentioned that there had been previous attempts to challenge the deportation order, including arguing that border officials had not considered Sidhu's clean criminal record and expressions of remorse. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, highlighting the limitations faced by permanent residents in such situations.
One significant aspect of the legal process highlighted by Greene was the lack of rights afforded to permanent residents like Sidhu to have their personal circumstances considered before deportation. He expressed frustration at the inability to present Sidhu's case fully and suggested that humanitarian grounds could be explored to appeal for the restoration of Sidhu's permanent resident status.
Despite the deportation order, Sidhu will not be immediately taken into custody. Before his deportation, a pre-removal risk assessment will be conducted, and Sidhu may also request a deferral while his application for permanent resident status is reviewed. This additional process could further delay the deportation proceedings, extending the uncertainty for Sidhu and his legal team.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the families of the victims have expressed their desire for Sidhu's deportation. The tragic loss of their loved ones in the crash has undoubtedly contributed to their call for accountability and closure. However, the deportation order represents only one aspect of the ongoing aftermath of the devastating incident, with legal complexities and emotional considerations continuing to shape the path forward for all those affected.
