Truck driver in Humboldt Broncos bus crash fighting deportation after early release from prison

The truck driver in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash that killed 16 people eight years ago is fighting against his possible deportation from Canada for humanitarian reasons. 

On April 6th, 2018 truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was on his second solo long-haul trip of his trucking career hauling double trailers when a tarp on one of his trailers came loose and started flapping in the wind. Sidhu says concern over the flapping tarp caused him to continuously check his rearview mirrors, leading him to miss an oversize stop sign with flashing lights on the rural Saskatchewan Road. Sidhu then crashed into a bus transporting the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, killing 16 players and staff and injuring 13 more. Sidhu was not injured in the crash, but did receive treatment for mental health issues following the crash, and has since been diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder, reported CBC.

Sidhu pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, and was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2019. Sidhu was granted full parole in 2023, but had his permanent resident status removed in 2024. He was also ordered for deportation in 2024. Now, the Canada Border Services Agency has determined that Sidhu would not be in danger if deported to India, and has requested documentation to begin the process to remove him from Canada. 

Sidhu is now fighting to stay in Canada with his family, arguing that there are humanitarian reasons why he should be allowed to stay. Sidhu’s immigration lawyer, Michael Greene, has filed an application for Sidhu to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The application argues that Sidhu has two young children, one with a lung disorder, and the children would be negatively affected by his deportation. Additionally, Sidhu’s own mental health issues could be worsened by returning to India and leaving his family. 

“He wouldn’t have the two children that he has now, born in Canada, if this system would work the way it’s supposed to,” said Russ Herold, whose son was killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. “So in my heart, I’m not giving him a second chance. He’s been here eight years too long already and he’s not a Canadian resident and he is taxing our health care, taxing our legal system. I think it’s time to move on.. It’s not like he stole our car and we can go buy another one. We can never replace our children.”

“I forgive him,” said Christina Haugan, the widow of the Humboldt Broncos head coach killed in the crash. “When he closes his eyes, I’m sure he sees horrific things and I just would hope that there’s some way that he can forgive himself and know that he’s allowed to be happy, too.”

Greene says that he will request that the CBSA defer Sidhu’s deportation until the humanitarian application has been reviewed and a decision has been reached, which may take up to two years.