Saturday, June 20, 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

    North American energy ministers have a barrel full of issues to talk about

    North American energy ministers have a barrel full of issues to talk about
    WASHINGTON — North American energy ministers meeting today in Washington have a full agenda to cover — from the Keystone XL pipeline, to falling oil prices and the liberalizing of Mexico's oil and gas sector.

    North American energy ministers have a barrel full of issues to talk about

    Household debt climbs to 162.6 per cent of disposable income: Statistics Canada

    Household debt climbs to 162.6 per cent of disposable income: Statistics Canada
    TORONTO — Canadian household debt hit a record high during the third quarter, as it grew at a faster pace than disposable income, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada.  

    Household debt climbs to 162.6 per cent of disposable income: Statistics Canada

    Langley's Table-Egg Layer Barn Becomes 10th BC Farm Infected With Avian Flu

    Langley's Table-Egg Layer Barn Becomes 10th BC Farm Infected With Avian Flu
    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has updated its list to include a Langley, B.C., farm housing table-egg layers.

    Langley's Table-Egg Layer Barn Becomes 10th BC Farm Infected With Avian Flu

    Provincial finance ministers call on Ottawa for more infrastructure cash

    Provincial finance ministers call on Ottawa for more infrastructure cash
    OTTAWA — Finance ministers from Canada's two biggest provinces urged Ottawa to dig deeper into its pocket for infrastructure cash as they headed into a meeting Monday with their federal counterpart.

    Provincial finance ministers call on Ottawa for more infrastructure cash

    Judge begins delivering final instructions to jury at Luka Rocco Magnotta trial

    Judge begins delivering final instructions to jury at Luka Rocco Magnotta trial
    MONTREAL — The judge at Luka Rocco Magnotta's murder trial is delivering his final instructions to the jury.

    Judge begins delivering final instructions to jury at Luka Rocco Magnotta trial

    Newfoundland and Labrador premier says he'll hold PM to account for CETA fund

    Newfoundland and Labrador premier says he'll hold PM to account for CETA fund
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador's premier says he'll support Canada's free trade deal with the European Union if Ottawa upholds its commitments to the province.

    Newfoundland and Labrador premier says he'll hold PM to account for CETA fund