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

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm
    MONCTON, N.B. — RCMP officers are searching a neighbourhood in Moncton, N.B., after receiving a report today of a suspicious male walking down a street with what appeared to be a firearm.

    Moncton RCMP Search For Suspicious Man Reportedly Carrying Firearm

    Stephen Harper Government Braces For Grilling On Oil Price Plunge, Sputtering Economy

    Stephen Harper Government Braces For Grilling On Oil Price Plunge, Sputtering Economy
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is trying to set the tone for Monday's resumption of Parliament by vowing his government will focus on jobs and economic security.

    Stephen Harper Government Braces For Grilling On Oil Price Plunge, Sputtering Economy

    When Like Doesn't Mean Like: Experts Say There's Nuance To Facebook Behaviour

    When Like Doesn't Mean Like: Experts Say There's Nuance To Facebook Behaviour
    A Like shouldn't always be taken literally, say tech experts, who are closely watching the case of 13 Dalhousie University students suspended for their actions on Facebook.

    When Like Doesn't Mean Like: Experts Say There's Nuance To Facebook Behaviour

    No Winner For Saturday's $5 Million Lotto 649 Jackpot

    No Winner For Saturday's $5 Million Lotto 649 Jackpot
    TORONTO — No winning tickets were sold for Saturday night's $5 million Lotto 649 jackpot.

    No Winner For Saturday's $5 Million Lotto 649 Jackpot

    Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil Prepares For 'Ottawa-inspired' Reform

    Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil Prepares For 'Ottawa-inspired' Reform
    Quebec is preparing for a major reform of its immigration policy, with proposed changes partly inspired by Ottawa, says the province's immigration minister.

    Quebec Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil Prepares For 'Ottawa-inspired' Reform

    Tech Treats Hundreds To Free Coding Camp To Prompt Digital Literacy

    Tech Treats Hundreds To Free Coding Camp To Prompt Digital Literacy
    Squamish Nation member Khelsilem is fluent in his native tongue and passionately spearheading a project to revitalize indigenous languages. But he wants to turbocharge his linguistic proficiency by learning an entirely new and universal language — computer coding.

    Tech Treats Hundreds To Free Coding Camp To Prompt Digital Literacy