Friday, June 12, 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

    Northwest Territoriesopens Land For First Oil Exploration Auction Since Devolution

    Northwest Territoriesopens Land For First Oil Exploration Auction Since Devolution
    OTTAWA — The Northwest Territories is holding its first auction for energy exploration licences since that responsibility was delegated to Yellowknife from Ottawa.

    Northwest Territoriesopens Land For First Oil Exploration Auction Since Devolution

    Indian Real Estate Market A Developer's Dream: Indo-Canadian Billionaire Bob Dhillon

    Indian Real Estate Market A Developer's Dream: Indo-Canadian Billionaire Bob Dhillon
    Having made his millions in the Canadian real estate market, Canada's first Sikh billionaire, Bob Dhillon, feels India's real estate market has a lot of potential if the government makes the right moves.

    Indian Real Estate Market A Developer's Dream: Indo-Canadian Billionaire Bob Dhillon

    Courtenay In 'Shock' After Mother, Baby Pulled From River: Mayor

    Courtenay In 'Shock' After Mother, Baby Pulled From River: Mayor
    COURTENAY, B.C. — The mayor of Courtenay, B.C., says the community is in a "state of shock" after a mother and her seven-month-old baby were pulled from a river.

    Courtenay In 'Shock' After Mother, Baby Pulled From River: Mayor

    Shot Kamloops Mountie Back In Hometown Hospital After More Surgeries

    Shot Kamloops Mountie Back In Hometown Hospital After More Surgeries
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — An RCMP officer shot at a traffic stop in Kamloops, B.C., has been transferred back to a hospital in his hometown after treatment at a Vancouver facility.

    Shot Kamloops Mountie Back In Hometown Hospital After More Surgeries

    BC Ferries Awards Contract To FortisBC To Supply LNG To Three New Vessels

    BC Ferries Awards Contract To FortisBC To Supply LNG To Three New Vessels
    VICTORIA — BC Ferries has signed a 10-year contract with FortisBC to supply liquefied natural gas for three ferries currently under construction.

    BC Ferries Awards Contract To FortisBC To Supply LNG To Three New Vessels

    Founder Chip Wilson Quits Lululemon, Says He'll Help Wife, Son's New Venture

    Founder Chip Wilson Quits Lululemon, Says He'll Help Wife, Son's New Venture
    VANCOUVER — The colourful and sometimes controversial founder of Lululemon Athletica Inc. (Nasdaq:LULU) has resigned from the company's board of directors, saying he has accomplished what he set out to do.

    Founder Chip Wilson Quits Lululemon, Says He'll Help Wife, Son's New Venture