Wednesday, June 10, 2026
ADVT 
National

Canada Must Guard Against Terrorism: PM Harper

IANS, 24 Jun, 2015 12:56 PM
    Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and so "continued vigilance is essential", Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said.
     
    Harper made the remarks on Tuesday while laying a wreath in the Hall of Honour to mark the "National day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism" observed to honour those killed in the 1985 Air India bombing.
     
    An Air India flight flying from Toronto to London crashed off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board. Most of the dead were Canadians of Indian origin. 
     
    Sikh extremists were blamed for the bombing.
     
    Harper said he cannot "help but cast his mind back to the Canadians who perished in Air India Flight 182 and in the World Trade Centre attacks... and to the many terrorist activities foiled by the vigilance of Canadian security agencies.
     
    "The recollections serve as a reminder that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism and that continued vigilance is essential."
     
    Addressing a gathering in parliament building here, he said it was a terror attack that killed the 329 passengers and crew members aboard Air India. 
     
    "On this sombre anniversary, we stand in solidarity with the friends and families who lost loved ones in that heinous attack and honour those lost.
     
    "We were deeply moved by this solemn tribute as well as by our meeting the kin of the victims," he added.
     
    Among the kin of the victims present was Susheel Gupta, whose mother Ramvati died in the bombing. Gupta said he regretted that his children would not be able to meet their grandmother.
     
    Meanwhile, a memorial service in Ireland was attended by India's Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan and Canadian Minister of Justice Peter MacKay.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Throne Speech Highlights Diverse Economy, But Lacks Bold LNG Predictions

    B.C. Throne Speech Highlights Diverse Economy, But Lacks Bold LNG Predictions
    VICTORIA — The B.C. government's throne speech says the diverse provincial economy will act as a buffer against oil-price declines hurting other economies, but the previous bold forecasts of a liquefied natural gas bonanza for the province are muted.

    B.C. Throne Speech Highlights Diverse Economy, But Lacks Bold LNG Predictions

    Opinion: Time For A Medicare Approach To Climate Change - John McKay, MP

    Opinion: Time For A Medicare Approach To Climate Change - John McKay, MP
    Over the past nine years Canada’s international reputation has been damaged and the Keystone XL pipeline has been stalled, all because our federal government has failed to deliver a sensible, credible approach to the environment and the economy.

    Opinion: Time For A Medicare Approach To Climate Change - John McKay, MP

    15-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead In Terrace, RCMP Say 16-Year-Old Is In Custody

    15-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead In Terrace, RCMP Say 16-Year-Old Is In Custody
    RCMP say they were called to a home about 10 o'clock on Monday night where they found a teen with a gunshot wound.

    15-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead In Terrace, RCMP Say 16-Year-Old Is In Custody

    B.C. Looking Into Multiple Complaints Against Police Watchdog Leadership

    B.C. Looking Into Multiple Complaints Against Police Watchdog Leadership
    Deputy Attorney General Richard Fyfe has referred multiple grievances against the Independent Investigations Office to the Public Service Agency for further investigation.

    B.C. Looking Into Multiple Complaints Against Police Watchdog Leadership

    Cineplex Launches Sensory Friendly Screenings For Those With Autism

    Cineplex Launches Sensory Friendly Screenings For Those With Autism
    TORONTO — Cineplex Entertainment is launching a special screening program for people with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

    Cineplex Launches Sensory Friendly Screenings For Those With Autism

    B.C. Lions Re-sign Veteran Linebackers Elimimian, Bighill To Extensions

    B.C. Lions Re-sign Veteran Linebackers Elimimian, Bighill To Extensions
    VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions signed veteran linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill to contract extensions Tuesday. Both are signed through the 2017 season.

    B.C. Lions Re-sign Veteran Linebackers Elimimian, Bighill To Extensions