Canada bus crash: Truck driver behind 2018 accident that killed 16 to be deported to India

An Indian-origin truck driver inCanada,who caused the horrific bus crashinvolving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockeyteam that killed 16 people,will be deported to India, Canadian media reported on Friday (May 24). Jaskirat Singh Sidhu arrived in Canada in 2014.On April 6, 2018, hebarreled through a stop sign and into thepath of theHumboldt Broncos junior hockey team's bus at a rural intersection near Tisdale in Saskatchewan Province.

Many of the 16 killed were members of the hockey team, while 13 others were injured. According to a report by CBC, the decision to deport Sidhu back to Indiawas announcedby theImmigration and Refugee Board.

Trent Cook, amember of the board, told Sidhu, "I can't consider humanitarian and compassionate factors.My sole role today is tomake a finding onwhether the minister has established the facts that support their allegation that you're inadmissible for serious criminality."

"I am required by law to issue you with a deportation order," Cook added.

'A foregone conclusion'

Reacting to the immigration board's decision, Sidhu's lawyerMichaelGreenesaidthat the decision was a foregone conclusion, as allthat was required to deport Sidhu was proof he was not a Canadian citizen and he had committed aseriouscrime, CBC reported.

Sidhu, who lives in Calgary, had earlier pleaded guilty to dangerous driving offences and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was granted full parole in 2023.

Green said on Friday that there were more legal and procedural steps to followandhis client might notbe deportedfor months or even years.Greene added that he plannedto file an application asking the government to return Sidhu's permanent resident status on humanitarian grounds.

He further pointed out that Sidhu's child, who was born in Canada,had heart and lung complications. "It's been a rough ride for themandthat child requires a lot of medical attention," the lawyer added.

One victim's father forgivesSidhu

The CBC report further said thatseveralfamily members of those killed in the 2018 crash demanded that Sidhu shouldbe deported. However, the father of one of the victims said he had forgiven Sidhu and advocated for the truck driver to stay in Canada.

(With inputs from agencies)