Judge dismisses latest bid by driver who caused Humboldt Broncos crash to stay in Canada

A judge dismissed applications on Thursday from the truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash and was fighting deportation back to India.

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was sentenced to eight years in prison for causing the 2018 crash in Saskatchewan that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges.

The rookie Calgary trucker, a newly married permanent resident, barrelled through a stop sign at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Sask., and drove into the path of the bus carrying the junior hockey team to a playoff game.

Sidhu was granted parole earlier this year and the Canada Border Services Agency had recommended he be deported.

Sidhu's lawyer, Michael Greene, argued before Federal Court in September that border services officials didn't consider Sidhu's previously clean criminal record and remorse.

Greene asked that the agency be ordered to conduct a second review of the case and set aside the decision.

"The facts underlying Mr. Sidhu's applications to this court were devastating for everyone involved. Many lives were lost, others were torn apart, and many hopes and dreams were shattered," Chief Justice Paul Crampton wrote in his decision.

"Unfortunately, nothing this court decides can change much of those truly tragic consequences."

Crampton said border officials were fair in their assessment and addressed both Sidhu's record and "extraordinary degree of genuine, heart-wrenching remorse."

"The officer's decision was appropriately justified, transparent and intelligible," Crampton wrote. "It also reflected an internally coherent and rational chain of analysis, and meaningfully engaged with the key issues raised by Mr. Sidhu."

He said Sidhu now faces removal to India, after spending years of hard work establishing a life with his wife in Canada.

The judge added that Sidhu can still ask to be allowed to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

WATCH|Judge dismisses latest bid by driver who caused Humboldt Broncos crash to stay in Canada:

Judge dismisses latest bid by driver who caused Humboldt Broncos crash to stay in Canada

9 months ago

Duration 2:32

A federal judge has dismissed applications from the truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan and was fighting deportation back to India.

No ill feelings, but 'we want him gone': father

Toby Boulet's21-year-old son, Logan, was killed in the crash. For him, moving forward doesn't meanSidhumust stayin prison, but he doesn't want him in Canada.

"We have no ill feelings toward the manwe just don't want to see him ever again," Boulet told CBC from his home in Lethbridge, Alta.

"We don't want to run into him. We don't want to have an actual incidental passing with the gentleman. We want him goneand gone means, in this case,deported."

WATCH|Father of Humboldt crash victim says his family could 'move forward' if bus driver was deported:

Father of Humboldt crash victim says his family could 'move forward' if bus driver was deported

9 months ago

Duration 8:10

The man responsible for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash is one step closer to facing deportation to India. Toby Boulets son, Logan, was killed in the crash. He doesn't ever want to see Sidhu again.

Chris Joseph of St. Albert, Alta., whose 20-year-old son, Jaxon, was also killed in the crash, had been calling for Sidhu's deportation.

"It's the right decision and sends the right message," Joseph said Thursday after learning of the judge's ruling.

"It's been five years of pain for our family and many other families. For all of us, it's been ongoing pain that's neverleft."

However, not all family members of those killed in the crash agree that Sidhu should be deported.

Scott Thomas, the father of Evan Thomas, 18, has forgiven Sidhu and long advocated for himto remain in Canada. However,he's not surprised that it's becoming increasingly likely Sidhu will be deported.

WATCH|Father of Humboldt crash victim reacts:

Father of Humboldt crash victim reacts to truck driver's latest failed bid to stay in Canada

9 months ago

Duration 6:13

The truck driver that caused the Humboldt Broncos bus crash has lost another bid to avoid deportation. Now the process moves forward, to the relief of some of the family members of those who died in the crash. Scott Thomas has forgiven Jaskirat Singh Sidhu and advocated for him to stay in Canada. He's the father of Evan Thomas, an 18-year-old who died in the crash.

"He's in a prison in his mind for the rest of his life,so to our family, it doesn't matter where he is," said Thomas.

"Whetherhe's here or over in India, I think he's going to suffer with his actions and the consequences of those for the rest of his life."