Ottawa: Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver responsible for the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash, is set to be deported to India following a federal immigration official’s decision on Friday.
Sidhu’s lawyer did not contest the decision, noting that the official had limited discretion. The only requirements for Sidhu’s deportation are proof that he is not a Canadian citizen and has committed a serious crime.
Sidhu became a permanent resident in Canada one month before the April 2018 crash, which killed 16 people and injured 13 others. He was a rookie truck driver from Calgary who ran a stop sign, causing the collision with the junior hockey team’s bus at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Saskatchewan.
Toby Boulet, father of crash victim Logan Boulet, expressed gratitude for the decision. He and his wife Bernadine believe Sidhu should be deported and are prepared to persist in this belief even if Sidhu appeals.
Sidhu pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and received an eight-year prison sentence. He was granted full parole last year. A criminal conviction with a sentence of more than six months makes a permanent resident ineligible to stay in Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency recommended deportation two years ago, which Sidhu contested in court. In December, the Federal Court dismissed Sidhu’s appeals, which argued that his clean criminal record and remorse were not considered by border officials.
Sidhu won’t be taken into custody immediately as a pre-removal risk assessment must be conducted, and he can request a deferral while his application for permanent resident status is reviewed. This process could take months or years, according to his lawyer.