Tuesday, June 16, 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

    Man set to argue driving while black led to vehicle stop, gun conviction

    Man set to argue driving while black led to vehicle stop, gun conviction
    TORONTO — A man convicted of a gun offence takes his case to Ontario's top court on Tuesday to argue he was a victim of driving while black.

    Man set to argue driving while black led to vehicle stop, gun conviction

    Woman pleads guilty to assault for giving illegal buttock enhancement injections

    Woman pleads guilty to assault for giving illegal buttock enhancement injections
    TORONTO — A Toronto-area woman who injected silicone into the buttocks of nine women — in some cases using syringes attached to a caulking gun — has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.

    Woman pleads guilty to assault for giving illegal buttock enhancement injections

    Quebecer Frederic Dion returns to Canada after solo trip to Antarctic

    Quebecer Frederic Dion returns to Canada after solo trip to Antarctic
    MONTREAL — Frederic Dion's biggest challenge on his solo trip to the Antarctic had nothing to do with the solitude, the bitterly cold temperatures or the howling winds.

    Quebecer Frederic Dion returns to Canada after solo trip to Antarctic

    Lac-Megantic settlement is just a fraction of what's needed, town says

    Lac-Megantic settlement is just a fraction of what's needed, town says
    MONTREAL — The funds earmarked for those affected by the Lac-Megantic train disaster represent just a fraction of what's needed, a town official says.

    Lac-Megantic settlement is just a fraction of what's needed, town says

    Robert Latimer appeals parole board decision restricting international travel

    Robert Latimer appeals parole board decision restricting international travel
    The lawyer for Robert Latimer says his client is appealing a parole board decision that prevents him from travelling freely outside Canada.

    Robert Latimer appeals parole board decision restricting international travel

    A milestone for Keystone XL: Controversial pipeline clears hurdle in U.S. Senate

    A milestone for Keystone XL: Controversial pipeline clears hurdle in U.S. Senate
    WASHINGTON — The Keystone XL pipeline has passed a major procedural hurdle in the United States Congress.

    A milestone for Keystone XL: Controversial pipeline clears hurdle in U.S. Senate