Calgary Trucking Company Owner Charged After Humboldt Broncos Tragedy
The owner of a Calgary trucking firm involved in the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash has been formally charged.
Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason announced that Sukhmander Singh, who is the owner and director of Adesh Deol Trucking Ltd., faces eight charges related to violations of safety and log-keeping regulations.
“These charges are a result of an investigation by Alberta Transportation into the collision,” Mason stated on Wednesday.
The investigation revealed numerous instances of non-compliance with transportation regulatory requirements over a six-month period. The crash in Saskatchewan last April resulted in 16 fatalities and 13 injuries when an Adesh-owned semi-trailer collided with the Broncos hockey team’s bus.
Driver Jaskirat Singh Sidhu had previously been charged with multiple counts, including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and injury. Singh declined to comment on the newly announced charges when reached in Calgary.
Crown Prosecution and Charges Detailed
This case will be overseen by a federal Crown prosecutor due to the involvement of both federal and provincial regulations. Among the eight charges against Singh are seven federal counts, including failures to maintain driver log records and monitoring compliance with safety regulations, as well as a provincial charge concerning the lack of a written safety program.
Singh is set to make his first court appearance on November 9 in Calgary. Federal penalties for failing to meet hours of service requirements can reach up to $5,000 per count, while the provincial charge carries a fine of $310. Courts retain the discretion to impose penalties as high as $2,000.
Public Reactions and Legislative Changes
After the charges were announced, Myles Shumlanski, whose son was injured in the crash, expressed hope for better regulatory practices. “It’s a good start,” he remarked, adding that it’s crucial for governments to scrutinize how licenses are being issued.
In light of the Humboldt tragedy, Minister Mason noted that Alberta will make driver training for new commercial truck and bus drivers mandatory, with a standardized curriculum beginning March 1. “The incident has prompted regions across Canada to reassess their safety protocols,” he explained.
Additional Safety Measures
Alberta is also enhancing its safety protocols for trucking companies, which includes discontinuing a temporary safety fitness certificate and requiring all new commercial carriers to demonstrate compliance with regulations before commencing operations. These carriers will also be obligated to renew their compliance every three years.
Additionally, Alberta will move away from a privatized model for road testing, as new drivers will take road exams administered directly by government employees to ensure fairness and consistency in evaluations.
