Sunday, June 14, 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

    Police investigate after Quebec town's web page replaced with Islamist messages

    Police investigate after Quebec town's web page replaced with Islamist messages
    MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police say they're investigating after a municipality's website appeared to be hacked by someone claiming to be linked to an Islamic extremist group.

    Police investigate after Quebec town's web page replaced with Islamist messages

    Netanyahu trip exposes frostbitten relationship with U.S. president

    Netanyahu trip exposes frostbitten relationship with U.S. president
    WASHINGTON — When Israel's prime minister visits Washington soon, he'll find the White House doors slammed firmly shut.

    Netanyahu trip exposes frostbitten relationship with U.S. president

    Food-cost crisis shames Far North: 'We can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore'

    Food-cost crisis shames Far North: 'We can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore'
    IQALUIT, Nunavut — Israel Mablick opens the door of his refrigerator and takes stock of its meagre offerings.

    Food-cost crisis shames Far North: 'We can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore'

    Conservatives mulling focus on manufacturing sector in federal budget

    Conservatives mulling focus on manufacturing sector in federal budget
    OTTAWA — The Conservative government is considering a strong focus on the manufacturing sector in the upcoming budget, part of a general shift in attention towards Ontario and its voters.

    Conservatives mulling focus on manufacturing sector in federal budget

    Parliamentary budget officer says foreign aid, poverty spending shrinking

    Parliamentary budget officer says foreign aid, poverty spending shrinking
    OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer says Canadian foreign aid spending is set to plunge to record lows in the coming years, prompting pleas to the Harper government to halt the slide.

    Parliamentary budget officer says foreign aid, poverty spending shrinking

    If ISIL shoots at Canadians in Iraq, they'll shoot back and 'kill' them: Harper

    If ISIL shoots at Canadians in Iraq, they'll shoot back and 'kill' them: Harper
    OTTAWA — Stephen Harper and his defence minister made it clear Thursday they won't tie the hands of Canadian military trainers in Iraq, but also suggested Canada's combat mission isn't expected to escalate further.

    If ISIL shoots at Canadians in Iraq, they'll shoot back and 'kill' them: Harper