Jaskirat Singh Sidhu is awaiting a decision on his deportation from Canada following his eight-year prison sentence for dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm, a result of the April 6, 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others.
In Canada, a criminal conviction that carries a sentence of longer than six months makes a permanent resident ineligible to remain the country. At least three families of players who were on the bus would like to see those laws enforced with Sidhu.
“Were all in this situation in the first place because he did not obey the Canadian laws, simply by running a stop sign,” said Chris Joseph, who lost his son Jaxon. “If he truly is remorseful, we would expect him to obey the laws that are set in place.
“Our pain is going to be here forever. We have a life sentence. But if we can get the laws to get him deported, thats one little thing that we dont have to worry about ever again. We dont have to see him in the news, we dont have to go through that.”
Russ Herold’s son Adam died in the incident, while Michelle Straschnizki’s son Ryan sustained a life-changing spinal cord injury.
“Whether youve lost a child or a parent or a friend or whatever, or youre just watching your child lift his own limbs everyday, it’s (heartbreaking),” said Straschnizki. “I dont know that its going to change if hes deported or not, but it is the law.”
“He can start a family, hell look across the table and hell have a family. We dont have that, our family is broken forever because of him,” said Herold. “I think its the way to heal, is hes got to be out of our sight.”
Saskatoon immigration lawyer Chris Veeman says a deportation order is issued in the vast majority of cases where someone has a serious criminality conviction and all of the “legal parts” of Sidhu’s situation point to him being deported.
In cases where people aren’t deported, Veeman says there’s often a “groundswell of opinion among the public” which can create pressure to intervene.
“I know that thats where the advocacy is at right now, like theres letters going into the (Canadian Border Services Agency),” he said.
“I think theres letters coming in on both sides, theres a lot of differing views on what should happen. I think those officers would probably default to just following the rules that are set out, which would be the deportation order.”
At least one family who lost a loved one in the crash has expressed support for Sidhus appeal.
Joseph said that feelings toward the issue of Sidhu’s deportation will be different among the 29 families that were directly involved, with “a range of forgiveness to hatred and everything in between,” but says a difference of opinion won’t get in the way of the emotional and mental support that remains in the group.
“Nobody gets us like we get us,” he said, a sentiment echoed by Herold and Straschnizki.
“Who better to know your grief than someone thats gone through it,” said Herold.
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OTHERWISE
COMING FOR THE THRONE
01:00 PM |
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COLLECTIVE SOUL
RUN
12:54 PM |
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WHITE ZOMBIE
THUNDER KISS 65
12:49 PM |
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FOO FIGHTERS
EVERLONG
12:46 PM |
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RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
OTHERSIDE
12:41 PM |
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MONSTER MAGNET
FACE DOWN
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BUSH
COMEDOWN
12:32 PM |
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ALICE IN CHAINS
BLEED THE FREAK
12:28 PM |
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AEROSMITH
JANIES GOT A GUN
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R E M
LOSING MY RELIGION
12:18 PM |
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OTHERWISE - COMING FOR THE THRONE
