A Calgary MP has launched a campaign to allow Jaskirat Singh Sidhu to stay in Canada. The man behind the accident which involved the Humboldt Broncos bus six years ago is the subject of expulsion proceedings.
George Chahal, Liberal MP for the riding of Calgary Skyview, wants to prevent the decision to deport Jaskirat Singh Sidhu to India, announced last month, from being implemented. No firm date has been set in this regard.
The federal elected official says he has already written a letter to his party’s caucus to see if members would be willing to support his support campaign.
Compassion and humanitarian reasons
He explains that he supports Jaskirat Singh Sidhu on humanitarian grounds and out of compassion, indicating that he has a child born in Canada who suffers from serious heart and lung problems.
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George Chahal says he supports Jaskirat Singh Sidhu out of compassion for his Canadian wife and their seriously ill child. (Archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Dan McGarvey
I’m moving forward to make sure I can do everything I can for my constituents. But also, from a moral point of view, I think we must give this individual the opportunity to live with his family, to work and to provide for his wife and child here in Canada.
He adds that the former truck driver feels remorse after serving a prison sentence following his guilty plea.
George Chahal wonders about the consequences that the expulsion of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu could have on the lives of Canadians: Will it make a single Canadian safer or will it make Canada a better place to live? I believe the answer is no
.
On the other hand, if Jaskirat Singh Sidhu were to be expelled from Canada, this would have the effect of punishment against his innocent wife, who is a registered nurse
and could also sentence his son to death, who needs specialized neonatal care
he said.
In the name of forgiveness…
While emphasizing that the tragic Humboldt accident has affected so many Canadians, especially families
George Chahal said he begged for their forgiveness.
I think as Canadians we need to grieve. Families will take time to do this because they have lost loved ones, and we are all affected by that. But I believe we have the opportunity to forgive and make sure we don’t take him away from his family.
He adds that he will work to contact more people across the country, in order to reach a consensus on the possibility of forgiving this individual and giving him the opportunity to remain with his wife, who is a Canadian citizen, and with his child
.
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Jaskirat Singh Sidhu failed to stop at an intersection along a highway in Saskatchewan, causing a collision with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. (Archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Kayle Neis
…that families are not willing to grant
When the decision to expel Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was announced, however, many families said they were relieved by the commissioner’s decision. Some felt the former trucker deserved to lose the privilege of staying in this country
.
Others had stressed that they cannot heal their wounds as long as they continue to see the face [de Jaskirat Singh Sidhu] all over the media and hearing the different opinions of people who lost no one in this tragedy
.
Michael GreeneJaskirat Singh Sidhu’s lawyer, for his part appreciates the approach taken by George Chahal. You know, family doesn’t like to attract more attention [sur cette affaire], but at the same time she wants him to be able to stay in Canada. Any initiative in this direction is therefore welcome.
he said.
He also thinks that the Liberal MP’s initiative serves to build support both within Parliament and among public opinion
and to put pressure so that, at least, his client is not immediately deported.
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Many tributes were paid to the victims after the tragedy. (Archive photo)
Photo: Chanss Lagaden/CBC
The worst tragedy for the world of sport in the country
On April 6, 2018, while driving a truck, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu failed to stop at an intersection along a highway in Saskatchewan. His vehicle collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
Sixteen people died and 13 were injured in this tragedy considered the worst to hit the world of sport in Canada.
In 2019, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The Canada Border Services Agency then recommended his expulsion, on the grounds that in Canada, a criminal conviction of more than six months prevents a permanent resident from remaining in the country.
In 2023, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was granted full parole.
At the end of last May, following a hearing by the Immigration and Refugee Board, it was decided to deport him from Canada.
With information from Scott Dippel
