Wednesday, June 17, 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, court documents reveal more details behind Edmonton mass murder-suicide

    Police, court documents reveal more details behind Edmonton mass murder-suicide
    EDMONTON — What was it that made Phu Lam so angry that he killed eight people?

    Police, court documents reveal more details behind Edmonton mass murder-suicide

    Tumultuous 2014 in Alberta leads to speculation about early 2015 election

    Tumultuous 2014 in Alberta leads to speculation about early 2015 election
    EDMONTON — After one of the most tumultuous and bizarre years in the history of the Alberta legislature, there is talk that 2015 will see an encore with a surprise early election call.

    Tumultuous 2014 in Alberta leads to speculation about early 2015 election

    Fire At Capilano University 'Deliberately Set' And Now Under Investigation: Police

    Fire At Capilano University 'Deliberately Set' And Now Under Investigation: Police
    VANCOUVER — A fire that police say was deliberately set and damaged part of a university library in B.C. is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

    Fire At Capilano University 'Deliberately Set' And Now Under Investigation: Police

    Property Values Up In B.C. Northwest Communities Tied To LNG Industry

    Property Values Up In B.C. Northwest Communities Tied To LNG Industry
    VANCOUVER — Property values in two northwest British Columbia communities tied to the liquefied natural gas industry jumped dramatically last year.

    Property Values Up In B.C. Northwest Communities Tied To LNG Industry

    Armed Robbery At B.C. Pawn Shop; Mounties Search For Suspects

    Armed Robbery At B.C. Pawn Shop; Mounties Search For Suspects
    NANAIMO, B.C. — Mounties on central Vancouver Island say two suspects who were armed with a pump-action shotgun have robbed a pawn shop.

    Armed Robbery At B.C. Pawn Shop; Mounties Search For Suspects

    5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles In Ocean Off Vancouver Island's West Coast; No Damage Reported

    5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles In Ocean Off Vancouver Island's West Coast; No Damage Reported
    VANCOUVER — A 5.4 magnitude earthquake has struck 211 kilometres west of northern Vancouver Island.

    5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles In Ocean Off Vancouver Island's West Coast; No Damage Reported