Friday, June 19, 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

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015
    QUEBEC — Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz is again ruling out running for the federal Liberals in next year's election.

    Ghiz reiterates he won't run for the federal Liberals in 2015

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted
    HALIFAX — The Mounties have charged a 30-year-old South African woman with assault after an international flight was diverted to Halifax on Wednesday.

    Police lay assault charges against South African woman after flight diverted

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees
    OTTAWA — An organization that was formally branded a terrorist organization last spring has been denied permission by Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney to raise money to fight the move.

    Minister denies group fighting terrorist label permission to raise legal fees

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010
    OTTAWA — The average cost of a litre of gasoline in Canada has dropped below $1 for the first time in nearly four and a half years, according to price monitoring website GasBuddy.com.

    Average pump price goes below $1 for first time since summer of 2010

    Only third of eligible organ donors identified; 1000s await transplants: report

    Only third of eligible organ donors identified; 1000s await transplants: report
    TORONTO — A new report says two-thirds of Canadians who are eligible organ donors at death do not make it through the complex process that would help thousands of Canadians waiting for life-saving transplants.

    Only third of eligible organ donors identified; 1000s await transplants: report

    Calgary man who taped dog, cat to receive psych assessment before sentencing

    Calgary man who taped dog, cat to receive psych assessment before sentencing
    CALGARY — A Calgary man who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges for taping shut the mouths of a dog and cat will remain in custody while he undergoes a psychiatric assessment.

    Calgary man who taped dog, cat to receive psych assessment before sentencing