Humboldt Broncos crash victims and their families react to decision to deport truck driver

The family of one of the victims of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash says they are “grateful” for Calgary Immigration Services’ decision to deport the driver of the truck involved.

On Friday morning, the Immigration and Refugee Office in Calgary decided that Jaskirat Singh Sidhu must be deported.

Toby Boulet, the father of Logan Boulet, one of the victims of the fatal accident in Saskatchewan, expressed his relief at the decision on Friday morning.

“Bernadine and I are grateful for today's decision as we continue to believe that Mr. Sidhu should be deported from Canada,” he said.

“We are prepared to maintain that belief even though Mr. Sidhu may file further appeals.”

Ryan Straschnitzki, one of the Humboldt Broncos players who survived the crash, said he has “no hard feelings” toward Sidhu or his family.

“It's kind of out of my hands, it's not really my responsibility, but of course you want the best for someone and the best for a human being,” he said in an interview with CTV News on Friday.

“I can't speak for others, but I hope that from person to person everything goes well and they find happiness.”

On April 6, 2018, a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team collided with a truck on a country road 200 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon.

The team was on its way to a game against the Nipawin Hawks.

14 people were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, 14 others were taken to hospital.

Two of the injured victims died in hospital.

It turned out that Sidhu, who was driving the truck involved, ignored a stop sign and collided with the bus.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm.

On July 21, 2022, he was granted day parole, allowing him to leave prison on the understanding that he would return at the end of each day. Last year, Sidhu was granted full parole.

The Canada Border Services Agency recommended deportation and Friday's decision could advance that step for the truck driver, who has permanent residency in Canada but is not a Canadian citizen.

Sidhu's lawyer, Michael Greene, did not contest the decision but told reporters that a risk assessment must be conducted before deportation.

Sidhu also has the right to a stay of the order pending a decision on his status as a permanent resident.

Green said the entire process could take months or years.

(With files from Canadian Press and CTV Saskatoon)