Tuesday, June 23, 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

    Vets needing PTSD benefits face dizzying paperwork, eight-month wait: auditor

    Vets needing PTSD benefits face dizzying paperwork, eight-month wait: auditor
    OTTAWA — Many of Canada's battle-scarred veterans wait up to eight months to find out if they are eligible for long-term, mental-health disability benefits and the department responsible for their care has no idea if its treatment programs are effective, the auditor general said Tuesday.

    Vets needing PTSD benefits face dizzying paperwork, eight-month wait: auditor

    Splitting off investigative role from Elections Canada cost $2.9 million

    Splitting off investigative role from Elections Canada cost $2.9 million
    OTTAWA — A Conservative government decision to move the office that investigates election fraud out from under the roof of Elections Canada is costing almost $3 million in up-front costs.

    Splitting off investigative role from Elections Canada cost $2.9 million

    Harper's infrastructure plan to cost $300M next year, will trim surplus to $1.6B

    Harper's infrastructure plan to cost $300M next year, will trim surplus to $1.6B
    That's Ottawa's new projection for next year's budgetary surplus following Prime Minister Stephen Harper's $5.8-billion infrastructure announcement.

    Harper's infrastructure plan to cost $300M next year, will trim surplus to $1.6B

    Defence rests its case at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

    Defence rests its case at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial
    MONTREAL — The defence formally rested its case in the first-degree murder trial of Luka Rocco Magnotta on Tuesday without the accused having taken the stand.

    Defence rests its case at Luka Rocco Magnotta's first-degree murder trial

    Key witness testifies at fisherman's second-degree murder trial in Cape Breton

    Key witness testifies at fisherman's second-degree murder trial in Cape Breton
    PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — A crew member aboard a fishing boat told a murder trial in Cape Breton on Monday that Phillip Boudreau was shot at and hooked with a fishing gaff after the captain suspected him of "playing" with their lobster traps.

    Key witness testifies at fisherman's second-degree murder trial in Cape Breton

    National Energy Board to ask Canadians for input on pipeline safety

    National Energy Board to ask Canadians for input on pipeline safety
    SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Members of the National Energy Board will hit the road early in the new year to hear what Canadians have to say about pipeline safety.

    National Energy Board to ask Canadians for input on pipeline safety