In 2019, truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in the Saskatchewan bus crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. (Kayle Neis/The Canadian Press).

Read about the immigration consequences facing former truck driver and permanent resident Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, following the deadly crash he caused in 2018:

• "Driver responsible for deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash fighting deportation," CBC, October 29, 2020

"Driver who caused deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash denied first bid to stay in Canada," CBC, March 09, 2022

• "Lawyer for trucker in Broncos crash wants chance to argue against 'permanent exile' through deportation", CBC, June 22, 2022
• "Federal Court to hear why truck driver in fatal Broncos crash shouldn't be deported," CBC, CBC April 20, 2023

Due to the combined operation of s. 36 of IRPA (criminal inadmissibility) and s. 64(2) of IRPA (no right of appeal to the IAD), Mr. Sidhu faces the prospect of deportation without any evaluation of his personal circumstances. When s.64(2) of IRPA was enacted, it was very controversial. The Federal Court heard his case in July of 2023, and a decision is pending at this time. If he is successful at the Federal Court, then the matter will be referred back to the CBSA for another review and a new decision.

Watch former Immigration Minister Jason Kenney defend Bill C-43, The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in 2012: Meeting No. 54 CIMM - Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.Watch from 15:35 - 15:46 (11 minutes) and 15:55-15:59 (4 minutes).

Now read some of the opposing views concerning the merits of the proposed amendments:

• Canadian Bar Association, National Immigration Law Section, "Bill C-43, Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act" (November 2012), Executive Summary, pp. 1-5:
• Amnesty International, Accountability, Protection and Access to Justice: Amnesty International's Concerns with respect to Bill C-43(October 2012)

In the context of truck driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, do you think automatic deportation with no appeal is a fair consequence of his serious crime, or do you think he should have the chance to have his circumstances evaluated before a decision is made about removing him from Canada?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Automatic deportation with no appeal may seem harsh especially in cases like Jaskirat Singh Sidhus w... View the full answer