Almost one year following the devastating crash that claimed the lives of 16 people and left several others permanently physically affected when a semi-truck collided into a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, the scars continue to heal.
Revisiting and reliving the ordeal throughout the recent court proceedings undoubtedly made raw emotions resurface, and we can only begin to imagine how difficult this time has been for all of the families involved.
Those affected are largely still trying to come to terms with what happened on that fateful day on April 6, 2018 which left huge holes in the lives of so many people, irreversibly changing their entire world forever.
The driver was convicted of 29 counts of dangerous driving causing death or bodily injury after failing to notice numerous signs warning motorists of the visibly unimpeded traffic stop that he apparently did not even slow down for.
Some have been unwilling or unable to give forgiveness while others have.
The driver, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, spared everyone the ordeal of going to trial and pleaded guilty. Throughout all of the proceedings, he seemed remorseful. Arguably even a broken shell of a man, more than likely haunted by visions of the collision replaying over and over as he tries to sleep at night.
The crushing burden of guilt and regret he carries with him will follow him to the grave.
Some might argue that alone is a substantial punishment.
We are not, after all, talking about someone who after making such a grievous mistake made matters even worse by denying fault and perhaps even attempting to shift the blame elsewhere.
Sidhu unquestionably owned up to his actions and made no attempt to conjure up weak excuses.
Now, he faces eight years in prison and possibly even deportation.
Some would say justice has been served, while others seem to feel he got off lightly.
However, even if Sidhu had not shown a shred of remorse and perhaps even expressed contemptuous disdain for the court and his victims, harbouring hate in one’s heart would only hamper the healing process.
Forgiving does not mean having to forget.
But it is a step on the long road to recovery.
— Simon Ducatel is the Round Up’s editor
