Jaskirat Singh Sidhu is taken out of the Kerry Vickar Centre by the RCMP following his sentencing for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Melfort, Sask., on Friday, March, 22, 2019. (Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis)

By The Canadian Press

2018 Crash

Truck driver who caused Humboldt Broncos bus crash loses refugee bid

Feb 5, 2026 | 6:17 PM

A lawyer for the truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash said his client is one step closer to being deported to India.

Lawyer Michael Greene said the Immigration and Refugee Board has rejected a request for Jaskirat Singh Sidhu to stay in Canada as a refugee. Greene said that decision means the Canada Border Services Agency is now under a legal obligation to remove Sidhu from Canada as soon as possible. He said he’s not sure when that might be but plans to ask for a deferral.

The board is still considering a previous application to restore Sidhu’s permanent resident status. That application argues Sidhu should be allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds because he has a child with complex medical issues.

Sidhu drove through a stop sign and into the path of a bus carrying the junior hockey team at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Sask., in April 2018. Sixteen people died and 13 more were injured.

Here’s a timeline of the case:

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2014: Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, a newly married permanent resident from India, arrives in Canada.

April 6, 2018: Recently hired by a Calgary trucking company, Sidhu drives a semi-trailer through a flashing stop sign at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Sask., and into the path of an oncoming coach bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. The bus is torn into three pieces. Sixteen are killed and 13 are injured. Sidhu isn’t seriously hurt.

July 6, 2018: RCMP charge Sidhu with 16 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and 13 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily injury.

Oct. 10, 2018: The Alberta government announces charges against the Calgary trucking company that hired Sidhu. Sukhmander Singh of Adesh Deol Trucking faces charges of non-compliance with various federal and provincial safety regulations.

Jan. 8, 2019: Sidhu pleads guilty to all charges in court in Melfort, Sask.

Jan. 29, 2019: A three-day sentencing hearing begins for Sidhu. Ninety victim impact statements are submitted and relatives speak of unending grief. Some say they forgive Sidhu but others say they are too angry.

Jan. 31, 2019: Sidhu apologizes in court for causing the crash. “It happened because of my lack of experience and I’m so, so, so, so sorry.”

March 22, 2019: Judge Inez Cardinal sentences Sidhu to eight years in prison. She says the collision could have been avoided had Sidhu been paying attention.

March 9, 2022: The Canada Border Services Agency rejects a request from Sidhu to stay in Canada after serving his sentence. Sidhu is not a full citizen but is living and working in Canada as a permanent resident. The case is handed over to the Immigration and Refugee Board to decide if he should be deported back to India. 

March 27, 2019: A lawyer for Singh enters guilty pleas to five safety charges and he’s fined $5,000. Adesh Deol Trucking is no longer in business.

July 20, 2022: The Parole Board of Canada grants Sidhu day parole for six months. Relatives of four victims had asked the board to deny release.

Jan. 20, 2023: The parole board grants Sidhu full parole.

Sept. 13, 2023: Federal Court hears review applications from Sidhu on his deportation. His lawyer, Michael Greene, argues border officials failed to consider Sidhu’s previously clean record and his remorse.

Dec. 14, 2023: A federal judge dismisses the applications.

May 24, 2024: The Immigration and Refugee Board revokes Sidhu’s permanent resident status and orders his deportation, citing “serious criminality.” 

July 2024: Sidhu applies for a pre-removal risk assessment that would allow him to stay in Canada as a refugee. He also applies to have his permanent resident status re-established on humanitarian grounds. Greene argues Sidhu is well established in Canada and has a one-year-old with severe heart and lung complications.

Feb. 4, 2026: Sidhu receives a negative risk assessment and his request for refugee status is denied. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2026.