Humboldt Broncos begin legislated process to distribute $14.7M raised for team

As the Humboldt Broncos begin the legal process of distributing almost $15 million to 29 families impacted by the April 6 team bus crash, one father is saying the survivors are behind the Broncos, no matter what they choose to do.

"Right from start, we've had full confidence in the Broncos," said Scott Thomas, father of late Evan Thomas, at a news conference held by the Broncos on Thursday afternoon in Regina to discuss distribution of the funds.

"They've indicated right from the start that this is a monumental task. This is almost unprecedented in the world, let alone in Saskatchewan, and this has been thrown at their feet."

Evan Thomas was among the 16 killed in the April 6 crash, while 13 others were injured. In the wake of the crash, there was an outpouring of support, with people donating nearly $15.2 million through GoFundMe to support the families.

His fathersaid thosefamilies impactedare in constant, near daily communication with each other through WhatsApp, and in the rare instant that the GoFundMe campaign has come up, the overwhelming majority have trusted the Broncos to take care of the distribution of the funds in a fair manner.

Legal process underway

Kevin Garinger, president for the team, noted the distribution of the funds must comply with Saskatchewan legislation, and a non-profit corporation, the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Fund Inc., has been set up to oversee the distribution.

Garingersaid it normally is a process that takes upwards of three months to distribute funds, and he expects to hit that deadline or sooner.

A judge has been appointed to supervise the process, while there will be an advisory committee established to make recommendations to allocate the money, he said.

Of the nearly $15.2 million raised through contributions, GoFundMe will collect 2.9 per cent of the funds; 100 per cent of the remaining $14.7 million will go to the 29 families impacted by the crash, he said.

No expectations about money, says father

Thomas said that he and his family don't have any expectations about the funds, and that they've been humbled and overwhelmed by all the ways they've received support to date.

"Maybe it's that simple they cut 29 even cheques and we all go our separate ways. But it can't be that simple. It just can't be," he said, noting a few Broncos players are facing brain injuries and paralysis, and may need more support, while head coach Darcy Haugan left two young children behind who may also need more support. Other boys who walked through the site of the crash may live with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder for the rest of their lives, he said.

"I guarantee my son would be standing here and saying you take care of those boys make sure they're taken care of," he said.

"Whatever happens, whatever they come to us with, it's going to be a gift and we're going to be thankful for it."

Thomas said in the face of the tragedy,the families were drawing support from each other, and feeling comfort in the fact that they were not alone in facing their grief, struggles and loss.

"This is a group of people that's going to be bonded together forever."