The families of the 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos Junior 'A' Hockey Team who were killed in a tragic crash started a petition and sent it to the Saskatchewan government to express their opposition to the possibility of eliminating the need to obtain a Class 5 driver’s licence before obtaining a Class 1 driver’s licence in Saskatchewan..On April 6, 2018, 16 people were killed and 13 were severely injured when a northbound coach bus struck a westbound semi-trailer truck near Armley, SK..Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver of the truck, was sentenced to eight years in prison for dangerous driving after pleading guilty..In March, the Canada Border Services Agency recommended Sidhu be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide whether he should be deported..In July, he was granted day parole for six months. His wife is a Canadian citizen and is fighting his deportation..READ MORE: Killer truck driver granted day parole for Humboldt Broncos crash.After the crash, the Saskatchewan government implemented a new rule as of March 1, 2021. The new rule stated any foreign worker with a Class 1 from a different country cannot use it as their licence. They must complete a Saskatchewan training program and pass the tests..The families of the victims said in a letter to the Saskatchewan government, "The driver of the semi-trailer truck who caused the horrific crash was grossly under-qualified to drive the semi-truck.". List of familiesA list of names sent to the Saskatchewan government who are opposed to the change. ."He is one of an increasing number of untrained and unskilled drivers who are the cause of accidents causing deaths and injuries on Saskatchewan roads and highways.".One of those families is the Tobin family. Parker Tobin was a goalie for the team and was killed in the crash. His mom Rhonda Clarke-Tobin will never get over the sadness the tragedy caused her family and she's standing up to Saskatchewan's government to oppose the possible change.."I’m definitely not the same person I was four and-a-half years ago. I’m now in therapy two times per month, I take medication for severe depression disorder and PTSD," Clarke-Tobin told the Western Standard.."I still cry most times people mention his name. I have social anxiety unless I am surrounded by people I feel safe with. Through all this, I fight every day to still smile and try to make a difference and do things he would be proud of.".Clarke-Tobin said she used to be very active in minor hockey and volunteered a lot until that tragic day.."None of which I do anymore as I find it very hard to watch hockey at certain age levels. I live in fear of losing another family member every single day. We are concerned if loopholes are created others provinces would jump on board and we would be back to where we started, leaving other families at risk. Federal regulations need to be implemented. In the horrific Bronco crash, our loved ones were impacted by a poorly trained driver from Alberta, travelling in Saskatchewan. It doesn’t make sense.".In recent weeks, a group of Saskatchewan trucking companies raised their concerns about the shortage of drivers in the trucking industry. Spokespersons for certain driving schools also voiced their concern in the media about truck drivers needing the Class 5 driver’s licence before they are eligible to go for their Class 1 driver’s license putting pressure on the Saskatchewan's government to eliminate this step.."Considering changing driving credentials to make it easier for new drivers to attain a Class 1 driver’s license is abhorrent and is not in the best interest of our families or of anyone travelling on Canadian roads and highways," the families stated.."We are asking the Government of Saskatchewan uphold these safety standards to the highest degree.".According to the letter, the Saskatchewan government promised to make changes to provide the clearest path of any jurisdiction in Canada to having foreign professional credentials recognized.."Ministers, there has always been a driver shortage. Our loved ones are not expendable. Neither is yours. In an effort to mitigate safety on our roads, meet the demands of the trucking industry and any further suffering to our families and all those affected by the Broncos crash in responsible ways, we, the undersigned families of the 2017-2018 Humboldt Broncos Junior ‘A’ hockey team, respectfully ask that you consider the government’s fundamental role in this and that is to promote safety and to control risk management on our roads and highways," The families stated in the letter.."Please ensure all drivers seeking to obtain a Class 1 driver’s license in Saskatchewan first have a Class 5 driver’s license. We would be happy to meet and further discuss this issue. We look forward to hearing back from you.".There was no mention of potential changes in Wednesday's speech from the throne in Saskatchewan..According to the government's website, "all drivers seeking a Class 1 commercial license in Saskatchewan to drive semi-trucks are required to complete a minimum of 121.5 hours of training before taking a road test.".The training program consists of instruction in the classroom or online (47 hours), in the yard (17.5 hours), and behind the wheel (57 hours). There are then 11 modules included and the student driver must pass each one to complete the training course..The Western Standard reached out to Saskatchewan's government for comment, but one was not received.
