The 2018 Humboldt Broncos tragedy remains one of the most painful chapters in Canadian sports history. Following the crash, the legal focus shifted from criminal accountability to a protracted battle over whether Jaskirat Singh Sidhu—a permanent resident—should be allowed to remain in Canada.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!2018–2019: Tragedy and Conviction
- The Incident (April 6, 2018): Sidhu, driving a semi-truck, fails to stop at a flashing stop sign at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335. The resulting collision with the Broncos’ bus claims 16 lives.
- The Charges (July 2018): Sidhu is charged with 29 counts of dangerous driving.
- The Plea (January 2019): In a move that spared families a grueling trial, Sidhu pleads guilty to all charges.
- The Sentence (March 2019): He is sentenced to eight years in federal prison. This sentence triggered automatic deportation proceedings under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as it exceeded the six-month threshold for “serious criminality.”
2022–2024: Parole and the Fight to Stay
- Parole Milestones: Sidhu is granted day parole in March 2022 and full parole in January 2023, having served roughly half of his sentence.
- The Immigration Battle Begins: Throughout 2023, Sidhu’s legal team fights the CBSA’s recommendation for deportation. They argue that his clean prior record and genuine remorse should allow for an exception.
- Loss of Status (May 2024): The Immigration and Refugee Board officially orders Sidhu’s deportation, formally stripping him of his permanent resident status.
2025–2026: The Final Appeals
- Humanitarian Plea: Sidhu files for permanent residency based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. The core of this plea is his Canadian-born son, who suffers from severe health issues and requires specialized care.
- Refugee Status Denied (February 2026): Sidhu’s attempt to claim refugee status (via a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment) is rejected. This was a significant legal hurdle, and its denial moves him much closer to the actual date of removal.
Where the Case Stands Today
As of February 6, 2026, the deportation order is active. While the government is legally obligated to remove him, his legal team is currently fighting for a stay of deportation until his humanitarian application is fully processed. The families of the victims remain divided; some believe deportation is the only just conclusion, while others have publicly forgiven him.
