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Three weeks ago, the families of those killed or injured in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash sent a letter to the Saskatchewan government, worried that it was considering changing requirements for truck drivers.
Now, the government is trying to reassure those families that it won’t be doing anything of the sort.
“As you noted, concerns have been raised about the shortage of drivers in the trucking industry,” Don Morgan, the minister responsible for SGI, wrote in a letter to the families. “However, safety is of the utmost importance and no changes are being contemplated that will compromise safety on our roads.”
In the letter sent to the government, members of 24 families affected by the crash said they don’t want the province to consider eliminating the need for a Class 5 driver’s licence before a driver can obtain a Class 1 commercial driver’s licence.
“The driver of the semi-trailer truck who caused the horrific crash was grossly underqualified to drive the semi-truck,” the letter read. “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.”
On April 6, 2018, the Broncos were on their way to an SJHL playoff game in Nipawin when their bus collided with a semi at the intersection of two highways near Tisdale. Sixteen people died and 13 others were hurt.
The driver of the truck, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges. He was granted day parole in July.
The families’ letter said they were worried that trucking companies — many of which are dealing with a shortage of drivers — are putting pressure on the government to ease the requirements for those hoping to get a truck driver’s licence.
The families said changing driving credentials to make it easier for new drivers to obtain a Class 1 driver’s licence is not in the best interests of anyone travelling on Canadian roads. Morgan’s letter said that’s not going to happen.
“I assure you there are no plans to remove the requirement for a driver to hold a fully experienced Class 5 driver’s licence prior to obtaining a Class 1 licence, or for any other changes that would make it easier for new drivers to obtain a Class 1 licence,” the minister wrote.
“It is critical drivers have experience with regular passenger vehicles before attempting to operate much larger, more complex vehicles.”
Morgan’s letter said new drivers pursuing a Class 1 licence must complete the mandatory entry-level training program, which consists of 121.5 hours of instruction.
He said there are reciprocity agreements with a number of countries. Experienced truck drivers from those countries who can prove they have more than five years of driving with an equivalent Class 1 licence can challenge the tests. If they’re unsuccessful, they are required to complete the entry-level course.
The minister commended the Broncos families for their continued focus on traffic safety and their “efforts to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain you are enduring.”
— With files from The Canadian Press