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

    Phillips' past includes problems with alcohol and painkillers, jail time

    Phillips' past includes problems with alcohol and painkillers, jail time
    OTTAWA — The man facing criminal charges after the discovery of a hazardous chemicals cache in Halifax was diagnosed in 2008 with a mood disorder, an addiction to painkillers, an alcohol problem and narcissistic tendencies, court documents show.

    Phillips' past includes problems with alcohol and painkillers, jail time

    Baird expresses concern over blogger flogging with Saudi prince in Davos

    Baird expresses concern over blogger flogging with Saudi prince in Davos
    OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has raised concerns with a Saudi prince about the flogging sentence handed down to a blogger with family in Quebec.

    Baird expresses concern over blogger flogging with Saudi prince in Davos

    Prime Minister Harper announces more money for small business

    Prime Minister Harper announces more money for small business
    ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the federal government plans to make it a little easier for small business to access certain financing.

    Prime Minister Harper announces more money for small business

    Winnipeg Mayor Breaks Down While Responding To Most Racist City Label

    Winnipeg Mayor Breaks Down While Responding To Most Racist City Label
    Winnipeg's mayor tearfully promised to fight racism after the city was branded Canada's most racist by a national magazine.

    Winnipeg Mayor Breaks Down While Responding To Most Racist City Label

    Vancouver Neighbourhood Shocked By 17 Maples Illegally Chopped In Midnight Hours

    Vancouver Neighbourhood Shocked By 17 Maples Illegally Chopped In Midnight Hours
    VANCOUVER — A Vancouver park board official says the board will seek the maximum penalty if police manage to root out the person who chopping down 17 maple trees in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

    Vancouver Neighbourhood Shocked By 17 Maples Illegally Chopped In Midnight Hours

    One year later, Quebec town gathers to remember 32 lives lost and look to future

    One year later, Quebec town gathers to remember 32 lives lost and look to future
    MONTREAL — Asked to describe the last year of his life, Arnaud Cote pauses on the other end of the line, measuring his response.

    One year later, Quebec town gathers to remember 32 lives lost and look to future