Sunday, June 21, 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

    Canadian soldiers to train Ukrainian military police: Nicholson

    Canadian soldiers to train Ukrainian military police: Nicholson
    KYIV, Ukraine — Canadian soldiers are arriving in Ukraine to help train military police, Defence Minister Rob Nicholson says.

    Canadian soldiers to train Ukrainian military police: Nicholson

    Quebec provincial police say man faces terrorism-related charges

    Quebec provincial police say man faces terrorism-related charges
    MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police say they've arrested a man on terrorism-related charges.

    Quebec provincial police say man faces terrorism-related charges

    Ex-Quebec lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault pleads guilty to fraud-related charges

    Ex-Quebec lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault pleads guilty to fraud-related charges
    QUEBEC — Former Quebec lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and breach of trust.

    Ex-Quebec lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault pleads guilty to fraud-related charges

    Canadian Embassy in Cairo closed for the day over security worries

    Canadian Embassy in Cairo closed for the day over security worries
    CAIRO — The Canadian Embassy in Cairo has been closed amid security concerns, one day after the British Embassy suspended its services because of safety worries.

    Canadian Embassy in Cairo closed for the day over security worries

    Sandwich snafu sends serpent sailing over Tim Hortons counter

    SASKATOON — Two men are facing mischief charges after a sandwich order sent them into a hissy fit at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Saskatoon.

    Sandwich snafu sends serpent sailing over Tim Hortons counter

    Man who says he caused peace officer's death not criminally responsible: defence

    Man who says he caused peace officer's death not criminally responsible: defence
    CALGARY — A man charged with murdering an Alberta peace officer more than two years ago has admitted he caused the man's death.

    Man who says he caused peace officer's death not criminally responsible: defence