Saturday, June 13, 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

    Solitary confinement branded cruel, inhumane as more groups challenge practice

    Solitary confinement branded cruel, inhumane as more groups challenge practice
    TORONTO — The federal government is facing a second court challenge to the use of solitary confinement in prisons.

    Solitary confinement branded cruel, inhumane as more groups challenge practice

    Federal books face deficit if oil prices stay at current levels: PBO

    Federal books face deficit if oil prices stay at current levels: PBO
    OTTAWA — Canada's parliamentary budget office says Ottawa will stay in a deficit in the coming fiscal year if battered oil prices stay near their current lows.

    Federal books face deficit if oil prices stay at current levels: PBO

    Does a family making $120K per year qualify as 'middle-class'? The feds think so

    Does a family making $120K per year qualify as 'middle-class'? The feds think so
    OTTAWA — Canada's finance minister insists low- and middle-income families will see two-thirds of the benefits from the Harper government's contentious multibillion-dollar tableau of family-friendly measures.

    Does a family making $120K per year qualify as 'middle-class'? The feds think so

    Tory MP's bill unnecessary, could harm independence, say Parliament's watchdogs

    Tory MP's bill unnecessary, could harm independence, say Parliament's watchdogs
    OTTAWA — Canada's seven parliamentary watchdogs are urging a Senate committee to quash a Conservative MP's bill, calling it unnecessary and potentially harmful to their independence.

    Tory MP's bill unnecessary, could harm independence, say Parliament's watchdogs

    Opposition MPs reject federal plan to keep worst criminals in jail for life

    Opposition MPs reject federal plan to keep worst criminals in jail for life
    OTTAWA — Opposition MPs say the government's long-promised plan to lock up some criminals and throw away the key will only make prisons more dangerous.

    Opposition MPs reject federal plan to keep worst criminals in jail for life

    Premier Christy Clark Says Diversified Economy Keeps Province On Balanced Budget

    VICTORIA — British Columbia's diverse economy is its greatest asset, and Premier Christy Clark said that's what is helping her government to present another balanced budget next month.

    Premier Christy Clark Says Diversified Economy Keeps Province On Balanced Budget